MUMBAI- Tata-owned Low-Cost Carrier (LCC) Air India Express (IX) will launch new non-stop flights between Mumbai and Varanasi in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. This new route will enhance connectivity and cater to the growing demand for travel between the two key cities.
This will be the first time that Air India Express will fly to Varanasi (VNS) from Mumbai (BOM). This marks a significant addition to the airline’s network, as the airline already connects Varanasi with three other destinations.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAir India Express Mumbai to Varanasi flight
Starting 15th February 2025, Air India Express (IX) will fly daily to India’s spiritual capital Varanasi (VNS) from India’s financial capital Mumbai (BOM).
Flight IX 2546 is scheduled to depart from Mumbai at 13:20 pm IST. The flight is scheduled to arrive in Varanasi (VNS) at 15:40 pm IST. The Boeing 737 MAX 8 (737-8) aircraft will take 2 hours and 20 minutes to complete the flight.
The return flight, IX 2547 will depart from Varanasi (VNS) at 16:15 pm IST. The flight is scheduled to arrive back in Mumbai (BOM) at 18:30 pm IST. The B737 Max-8 aircraft will take 2 hours and 15 minutes to complete the flight.
Air India Express operates two variants of the Boeing 737 Max-8 aircraft. The seating capacity in these aircraft ranges from 176 to 178 passengers, depending on the configuration.
Photo: Siddh Dhuri | MumbaiPlanesCompetition On the BOM-VNS Route
Air India Express (IX) might face stiff competition in the Mumbai (BOM)–Varanasi (VNS) sector. There are six flights in the sector already on a daily basis, as of 8th January 2025. Four airlines already operate flights in this sector.
Akasa Air (QP) and IndiGo (6E) each operate two daily flights in this sector, reflecting strong competition for Air India Express (IX) in the market. SpiceJet (SG) also flies in this sector with a single daily flight.
Apart from these airlines, Air India (AI), the sister company of Air India Express, also operates daily flights on this route.
Air India Express will be the fifth airline in the sector. With these new flights, Mumbai (BOM) – Varanasi (VNS) sector will have up to seven daily flights starting 15th February 2025.
Photo: avgeekwithlens/ Harsh TekriwalAirline’s Varanasi Network
Varanasi (VNS) is actually not a new station for Air India Express (IX). Varanasi already has flights by Air India Express to three destinations. Two of these are domestic and one international destination.
Air India Express (IX) serves Hyderabad (HYD) and Bengaluru (BLR) from Varanasi (VNS). The airline operates a daily flight from Hyderabad (HYD) and three daily flights from Bengaluru (BLR). Air India Express (IX) took over Varanasi flights from former AirAsia India (I5). The flights shifted back in October 2024 when AirAsia India (I5) merged with Air India Express (IX).
Air India Express (IX) also flies to an international destination in the UAE (United Arab Emirates). Varanasi (VNS) sees a non-stop flight to Sharjah (SHJ), the third most populous city in UAE. The airline flies daily between Varanasi (VNS) and Sharjah (SHJ).
Mumbai (BOM) now joins the list as Air India Express’s fourth destination from Varanasi (VNS).
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
Air India Express Launched 22 International Routes in 2024, Cuts Mangaluru-Singapore Flight
The post Air India Express Adds New Mumbai to Varanasi Flights Amid Maha Kumbh Mela 2025 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
