Air India Express will begin weekly non-stop flights between Varanasi and Bangkok starting February 1, 2026, enhancing air connectivity between eastern Uttar Pradesh and Thailand. With this launch, Varanasi becomes the fifth Indian city served directly by the airline to Bangkok, alongside Bengaluru, Lucknow, Pune, and Surat.
The new route aims to improve travel options for passengers and promote inbound tourism to Varanasi, Sarnath, and other key destinations on the Buddhist circuit. Bookings are already open through the airline’s website, mobile app, and other platforms.
This expansion complements Air India Express’ growing operations in Thailand, which include flights connecting Bangkok to Bengaluru, Lucknow, Pune, Surat, and Hyderabad to Phuket. In Varanasi, the airline currently operates over 70 weekly flights to destinations including Bengaluru, Delhi, Mumbai, and Sharjah. Air India Express was the first airline to launch international flights from Varanasi, with a direct route to Sharjah in 2015.
The new service aligns with the airline’s strategy to enhance direct international connectivity from non-metro and Tier-II cities, while strengthening inbound tourism and access to India’s spiritual and cultural hubs.
