With the growing demand for air travel between the UAE and India, UAE Ambassador to India, Abdulnasser Alshaali, has urged for an increase in flight operations to address surging airfares. Speaking at the UAE-India Founders’ Retreat at DIFC, Alshaali emphasized the pressing need to expand connectivity, particularly by linking more Tier 2 Indian cities with the UAE. He pointed out that unless flight capacities increase, airfares will continue to escalate, impacting travelers and businesses alike.
Alshaali highlighted that expanding flight options would not only ease travel for Indian passengers but also strengthen tourism, create jobs, and foster bilateral trade. The Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) has already boosted trade relations, with bilateral trade surpassing $80 billion and sectors like agriculture and pharmaceuticals witnessing over 30% growth.
The ambassador also underscored the importance of fostering entrepreneurship through initiatives like the UAE-India CEPA Council (UICC), which supports startups in both nations. By hosting startup founders and organizing collaborative events, Alshaali aims to position the UAE as a global launchpad for Indian businesses.
Encouraging Indian entrepreneurs to see the UAE as a gateway to global markets, he noted the benefits of the Golden Visa and CEPA in facilitating business expansion. “This is not about leaving India but about viewing the UAE as a second home,” he said, reaffirming his commitment to deepening people-to-people and business-to-business ties.
With an optimistic outlook, Alshaali emphasized that enhancing connectivity and fostering innovation would redefine UAE-India relations, paving the way for greater milestones in trade and collaboration.
