Business aviation between the UAE and India is shifting. While Mumbai and New Delhi remain the two busiest destinations on the corridor, new data from Dubai-based private aviation group Vista shows executives are increasingly flying to cities beyond India’s traditional financial and political centres.
Kolkata and Pune both moved into the top five UAE–India destinations in the first half of 2026, having not featured in Vista’s top ten for the full year of 2025.
Chennai and Calicut also entered the H1 2026 top ten, suggesting a broader geographic spread rather than a simple reshuffling of established routes.
“As UAE–India economic ties continue to expand, business aviation is playing a critical role in connecting decision-makers with the markets and projects shaping this growth. While Mumbai and New Delhi remain important destinations — reflecting a mature and long-established commercial relationship — the more notable trend is the increasing accessibility for executives to access India’s specialist economic centers. Vista’s global network and flexible connectivity enable executives to travel efficiently between the UAE and a wider range of Indian cities, including those where manufacturing, engineering, technology and infrastructure projects are increasingly concentrated,” Stefano Miggiano, President – South Asia & Türkiye at Vista said in a statement.
Vista links the change to the nature of each city’s economy. Pune has grown as a centre for advanced manufacturing, automotive engineering and technology development.
Chennai handles automotive, electronics, renewable energy and maritime industries. Kolkata connects into eastern India’s industrial and infrastructure networks. These are locations where Gulf businesses are increasingly placing capital and pursuing partnerships, rather than just holding headquarters meetings.
The backdrop is the UAE–India Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, in force since 2022, which has expanded collaboration across trade, investment, logistics and manufacturing. Dubai’s D33 Economic Agenda reinforces the city’s role as a hub for businesses operating across both markets.
“Today’s executives operate across increasingly complex international networks. They need the ability to move efficiently between markets, visit operational sites, meet partners and respond quickly to new opportunities. As business relationships become more geographically diverse, flexible connectivity becomes increasingly important in supporting growth across borders,” he added.
Vista says its network covers more than 2,400 airports across 96 per cent of the world’s countries.
