A New Gateway: Guwahati to the UAE
In a significant boost for regional connectivity, Air India Express has launched direct, non-stop flights from Guwahati’s Lokpriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport (GAU) to the United Arab Emirates. The new services connect Assam directly with
Dubai (DXB) and Abu Dhabi (AUH), starting from early August 2026. This is the first time a carrier has established a direct link between Northeast India and West Asia, eliminating the need for travellers to transit through congested metro airports like Delhi or Kolkata. The move is expected to greatly benefit tourists, business travellers, and the large Indian diaspora in the Gulf by offering a more convenient and time-saving travel option.
Checked Baggage: The 30kg Standard
For most travellers on India-Gulf routes, the checked baggage allowance can be confusing. The good news is that for its new Guwahati-UAE flights, Air India Express offers a fairly generous allowance. On international flights to the Middle East, the standard allowance for an economy class passenger is typically 30 kg. This is a significant detail for those accustomed to the 15 kg limit on many domestic routes. However, it's crucial to remember that this allowance applies to direct international journeys. If your travel involves a separate domestic flight connecting to your international leg, the domestic airline's lower baggage limit (often 15 kg) will apply for that portion of the trip, which can lead to unexpected fees if not planned for. No single checked bag should weigh more than 32 kg, a standard rule across most airlines for safety reasons.
Cabin Baggage: The 7kg Rule
When it comes to what you can carry on board, the rules are quite strict. Most airlines, including Air India Express, permit one piece of cabin baggage weighing no more than 7 kg. In addition to this main bag, passengers are usually allowed one small personal item, such as a laptop bag or a handbag, which must fit under the seat in front of you. For flights originating from India, there's often a dimensional limit as well; the sum of the length, width, and height of your cabin bag typically should not exceed 115 cm. Airlines are becoming stricter at the gate, so weighing your cabin bag at home is a wise move to avoid having to check it in last minute.
The High Cost of Extra Kilos
Exceeding your baggage allowance can be an expensive mistake. Airlines charge for excess baggage per kilogram, and these fees are significantly higher at the airport than if you pre-book the extra weight online. While the exact rates vary by airline and route, airport charges can quickly add up, turning a good travel deal into a costly experience. For example, some carriers charge upwards of INR 700 per extra kilogram at the airport. Most airlines offer the option to purchase additional baggage in slabs (e.g., 5 kg, 10 kg, 15 kg) on their websites, often at a substantial discount compared to airport rates. If you know you'll be shopping or carrying extra items, planning ahead and buying extra allowance online is the most cost-effective strategy.
Special Items: Electronics, Gold, and Holy Water
Many travellers returning from the Gulf bring specific items that have their own set of rules. While a new television is a popular purchase, it is not part of your free baggage allowance and will be subject to a flat customs duty. For gold jewellery, recent rule changes in 2026 established a weight-based duty-free allowance: 40 grams for female passengers and 20 grams for male passengers. Anything above this must be declared. For pilgrims, carrying holy water (Zamzam) is common. Airlines like Air India often have a special allowance for a sealed 5-litre container, sometimes in addition to the regular baggage allowance, especially for those on Hajj or Umrah visas. However, this water must be in an officially sealed container and is generally carried as checked luggage, not in the cabin.
