Air India Express Launches Direct Mangaluru–Ras Al Khaimah Flights

• Air India Express launched direct flights connecting Mangaluru International Airport (IXE) and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT).
• The service operates three times per week, reducing travel time compared to connections via Dubai or Abu Dhabi.
• The route caters to the significant Indian diaspora in RAK and supports the emirate's tourism diversification goals.
• RAK International Airport continues to expand its network with Indian subcontinent destinations.

• 2027 — Key year
• 383 — Volume / scale

What are the details of the new Mangaluru–RAK flight service?

Air India Express, the low-cost subsidiary of Air India, inaugurated direct flights between Mangaluru (IXE) in Karnataka, India, and Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RKT) this week. According to schedules published by the airline and reported by The Hindu, The Economic Times, and Mangalore Today, the service operates three times per week — on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays. Flight IX 383 departs Mangaluru at 09:30 IST and arrives in Ras Al Khaimah at 11:30 GST; the return flight IX 384 departs RAK at 12:30 GST and lands in Mangaluru at 18:00 IST. The flight duration is approximately 4 hours, offering a significant time saving over the previous routing which required a connection through Dubai (DXB) or Abu Dhabi (AUH) plus a 90-minute road transfer to RAK.

Why is this route strategically important for Ras Al Khaimah?

India is the largest source market for expatriate residents in the UAE, and the Indian community constitutes a substantial portion of RAK's population. The Mangaluru catchment area includes not only the city itself but also the wider coastal Karnataka region, which has deep historical ties to the Gulf. By providing a direct link, RAK International Airport strengthens its position as a convenient gateway for the northern emirates, reducing reliance on Dubai's airports. The route also supports RAK Tourism Development Authority's strategy to diversify source markets and attract more visitors from India for leisure, weddings, and medical tourism. Additionally, the service facilitates business travel for the growing number of Indian SMEs setting up in RAKEZ and other free zones.

How does this fit into RAK's aviation and tourism growth plans?

The new route is part of a broader expansion of RAK International Airport's network, which has added several Indian destinations in recent years, including Hyderabad, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram. The airport, operated by RAK Airport Authority, has invested in terminal upgrades and aims to handle 2 million passengers annually by 2027. Direct connectivity from tier-2 Indian cities aligns with the UAE's bilateral air service agreements and the emirate's goal to triple visitor numbers by 2030. For the hospitality sector, easier access from South India could drive demand for mid-market hotels and serviced apartments, complementing the luxury offerings on Al Marjan Island.