Madhya Pradesh Aims for Direct Dubai Flights

Madhya Pradesh to Relaunch Direct Dubai Flights with Financial Incentives

The government of the Indian state of Madhya Pradesh is attempting to lure airlines back to initiate direct international flights from the region's cities, including those to Dubai, with a new strategy. As part of this initiative, airlines committing to provide direct connections could receive up to 66,000 dirhams in funding per flight.

Relaunch Could Happen After a Year's Gap

The proposal is of particular significance to the Indian diaspora since Air India Express halted its direct flights between Indore and Dubai last year, ones that were started in March 2023. With the route discontinued, Indore is currently only reachable four times a week from Sharjah, while Bhopal—the state's capital—has fallen entirely out of international flight routes.

The newly introduced Civil Aviation Policy aims to make Madhya Pradesh more accessible on an international level, with a focus on the cities of Indore, Bhopal, and Gwalior. Through its incentive package, the government hopes to establish new international routes, including to Dubai.

Dubai Visit Aims to Strengthen Economic and Tourism Ties

The proposal was announced during a two-day official visit to Dubai aimed at developing commercial, tourism, and industrial relations between Madhya Pradesh and the UAE. The delegation met with several high-level figures, including Dubai's aviation and foreign trade leaders, as well as the president of the Emirates airline group.

During the discussions, an agreement was reached to establish a permanent coordination mechanism at the level of the Indian Embassy, allowing continuous dialogue between the state and investors in Dubai. The goal is to foster direct relationships between Madhya Pradesh's industrial sector and regional economic players.

Madhya Pradesh as an Investment Destination

The initiative is closely aligned with the government's long-term aim of establishing Madhya Pradesh as an international investment hub. Key industries include renewable energy, textiles, logistics, electric vehicles, and food processing. The government showcased several "plug-and-play" type industrial parks with pre-prepared infrastructure, including the PM Mitra textile park in the city of Dhar, as well as healthcare and electronics clusters around Ujjain and Bhopal.

Summary

Relaunching direct flights between Dubai and Madhya Pradesh will not only serve travelers' convenience but could also hold significant economic importance for both sides. The state's incentive policy, along with the connections established in Dubai, may contribute in the long term to the region's international integration and present new opportunities for investors, particularly among the Indian community living in the UAE.

(Source: Indian state of Madhya Pradesh government announcement.)