Despite the conflict in West Asia, Dubai remains a key international destination from Bengaluru

Singapore was the second most popular international destination with 1.39 million passengers, followed by Abu Dhabi with 1.33 million passengers. | Photo credit: K. MURALI KUMAR

Dubai remains the top international destination to and from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) despite the ongoing crisis in West Asia.

KIA, among other airports in the country, reported flight cancellations, especially to destinations in the West Asia region, as a result of the conflict that broke out on February 28.

During the first days of the conflict, a large number of flights were canceled or diverted to the region.

Despite this, Dubai was the most popular destination to and from Bengaluru, with 2.02 million passengers traveling in the first three months of 2026.

Singapore was the second most popular international destination with 1.39 million passengers, followed by Abu Dhabi with 1.33 million passengers.

KIA operates direct flights to 11 destinations in West Asia, which are: Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Kuwait, Musat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Sharjah.

Due to the conflict, the number of passengers traveling to and from Bengaluru to these destinations has decreased.

According to DGCA’s two-city international passenger (planned) to and from Indian territory January-March 2026 statistics, all the above destinations have seen a decline in passenger numbers compared to the October-December 2025 quarter.

Up to 6.15 million passengers traveled to these destinations during January-March 2026, compared to 7.72 million passengers in October-December 2025, a decrease of 1.56 million passengers.

Between October and December 2025, up to 2.34 million passengers traveled to Dubai, up from 2.02 million in January to March 2026.

Abu Dhabi is the second most popular destination in the region, with 1.77 million passengers traveling to and from Bengaluru during October-December 2025, compared to 1.33 million passengers in the first quarter of 2026.

Ras Al Khaimah, which is another city in the UAE, saw the least passenger movement among the 11 airports that have direct connections to Bengaluru.

During the first quarter of 2026, there were 731 passengers between the two cities, compared to 9,728 passengers in the last quarter of 2025.

KIA officials said flight services have been restored to all destinations in the region.

Published – 22 May 2026 22:22 IST