India: Air India Adds Flights to Khajuraho and Jaisalmer, Expands Access to UNESCO Heritage Destinations

India’s aviation sector continues to evolve as connectivity to cultural and heritage destinations receives renewed focus. In a move aimed at strengthening tourism access across the country, Air India is preparing to expand its domestic operations during the Northern Winter Schedule 2026. The airline, which operates under the ownership of the Tata Group, has announced a series of route additions and frequency increases that will connect travelers more efficiently with some of India’s most historically significant locations.

Under the upcoming schedule, new flight services will link Delhi, Khajuraho, and Varanasi, while a new seasonal route will connect Mumbai with Jaisalmer. At the same time, additional capacity will be introduced on flights between Delhi and Gaya, further supporting pilgrimage and heritage travel within India. These destinations hold global importance, attracting visitors from countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Singapore, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and the Netherlands.

Through these developments, Air India is expected to enhance access to UNESCO-recognized heritage sites and spiritually significant locations. The improved domestic connectivity is also designed to complement international arrivals through major hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai, ensuring that travelers from Europe and Asia can reach key cultural destinations across India more seamlessly.

Air India Expands Domestic Connectivity Across Heritage Destinations

The Northern Winter Schedule 2026 will introduce several operational adjustments designed to strengthen domestic connectivity within India. Through these updates, improved travel links will be provided between metropolitan gateways and historically important cities.

The expansion will include services to Khajuraho Airport, Jaisalmer Airport, and Gaya Airport, while operational connections will primarily be supported through Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai.

These new services are expected to benefit both domestic travelers and international tourists visiting India from countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore. By improving accessibility to heritage destinations, the airline’s route network will further support India’s growing reputation as a major global tourism destination.

Tourism circuits connecting temples, historic architecture, and spiritual centers have increasingly gained popularity among travelers from Europe, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. The additional flights introduced by Air India are designed to align with this rising demand.

Delhi–Khajuraho–Varanasi Triangular Route Introduced

One of the most notable developments within the new schedule is the introduction of a daily triangular flight route linking Delhi, Khajuraho, and Varanasi.

Through this operational pattern, travelers will be provided with the flexibility to visit both cities within a single itinerary. The triangular routing will rotate depending on the day of the week, allowing passengers to begin their journey in either Khajuraho or Varanasi before returning to Delhi.

The route has been strategically designed to support cultural tourism within India. Khajuraho is globally recognized for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed temple complex, while Varanasi remains one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world and a prominent spiritual center for millions of pilgrims.

Travelers from countries including the United States, Australia, Japan, Singapore, and Germany frequently include both locations in their travel itineraries. The newly introduced triangular route will simplify travel planning and eliminate the need for multiple separate bookings.

The route will operate under two flight numbers with alternating patterns during the week.

Operational Pattern

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays

Delhi to Khajuraho
Khajuraho to Varanasi
Varanasi to Delhi

Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays

Delhi to Varanasi
Varanasi to Khajuraho
Khajuraho to Delhi

This routing system will allow tourists to explore both destinations in a structured travel circuit.

Delhi–Khajuraho–Varanasi Flight Schedule

The triangular service will begin operations on 25 October 2026.

Flight AI2568

Delhi to Khajuraho
Departure 13:25
Arrival 14:40

Khajuraho to Varanasi
Departure 15:30
Arrival 16:15

Varanasi to Delhi
Departure 17:05
Arrival 18:30

Operating Days
Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Sunday

Flight AI2567

Delhi to Varanasi
Departure 13:25
Arrival 14:50

Varanasi to Khajuraho
Departure 15:40
Arrival 16:25

Khajuraho to Delhi
Departure 17:15
Arrival 18:30

Operating Days
Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday

All timings are listed in local time.

Mumbai–Jaisalmer Seasonal Route for Winter Tourism

Another important addition within the schedule involves the launch of a new non-stop route between Mumbai and Jaisalmer.

This service will also commence on 25 October 2026 and will operate daily during the winter tourism season. Jaisalmer, often referred to as the Golden City of Rajasthan, attracts large numbers of visitors during cooler months when desert tourism activities are most popular.

Travelers from countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Spain, Australia, and Canada frequently visit Rajasthan to explore its historic forts, desert landscapes, and cultural festivals.

The new flight service from Mumbai will complement the airline’s existing Delhi–Jaisalmer operations, making the destination more accessible to travelers arriving in western India.

Mumbai–Jaisalmer Flight Schedule

Flight AI2563
Mumbai to Jaisalmer
Departure 10:00
Arrival 11:40

Flight AI2564
Jaisalmer to Mumbai
Departure 12:50
Arrival 14:30

The flights will operate daily starting 25 October 2026.

Increased Delhi–Gaya Frequencies for Pilgrimage Travel

In addition to the new routes, Air India will expand capacity between Delhi and Gaya by introducing an additional daily flight.

Gaya serves as the primary gateway to Bodh Gaya, one of the most significant pilgrimage destinations for followers of Buddhism. Visitors from countries such as Japan, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Myanmar, South Korea, and Bhutan regularly travel to Bodh Gaya to visit sacred sites connected with the life of Gautama Buddha.

By increasing flight frequencies, improved travel flexibility will be provided for pilgrims and international visitors traveling through Delhi.

Delhi–Gaya Flight Schedule

Flight AI2561
Delhi to Gaya
Departure 07:45
Arrival 09:15

Flight AI2562
Gaya to Delhi
Departure 10:00
Arrival 11:25

Flight AI429
Delhi to Gaya
Departure 15:00
Arrival 16:40

Flight AI430
Gaya to Delhi
Departure 17:15
Arrival 18:45

All flights will operate daily beginning 25 October 2026.

Strengthening International Travel Connections

The route expansion introduced by Air India is also expected to benefit international travelers arriving through India’s primary aviation gateways.

Passengers traveling from major global cities including London Heathrow, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Paris, Vienna, Zurich, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Bali Denpasar, Seoul Incheon, Hong Kong, and Tokyo Haneda will be able to connect more conveniently to domestic destinations such as Khajuraho, Varanasi, and Gaya.

This improved connectivity is expected to strengthen India’s role in global heritage tourism, particularly among travelers from Europe, Southeast Asia, and East Asia who seek culturally immersive travel experiences.

By aligning domestic flight schedules with international arrivals, smoother transfer options will be provided for passengers arriving in India from countries including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea.

Through the upcoming Northern Winter Schedule 2026, Air India is set to reinforce its domestic network while supporting India’s rapidly expanding tourism sector. The introduction of the Delhi–Khajuraho–Varanasi triangular route, the launch of the Mumbai–Jaisalmer service, and increased frequencies between Delhi and Gaya collectively highlight the airline’s strategy to connect travelers with culturally significant destinations across India.

By strengthening links between major aviation hubs and heritage locations, improved accessibility will be created for both domestic passengers and international tourists from countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, and Malaysia.

These developments are expected to contribute significantly to India’s heritage tourism ecosystem, while enabling travelers from across the world to explore historic temples, ancient cities, and spiritual landmarks through a more efficient aviation network.