Dubai-based Vista, the world’s leading private aviation Group, said its latest Member flight data points to a new phase in UAE–India executive mobility, with business travel expanding beyond traditional financial centres to India’s growing industrial, technology and commercial hubs.
Mumbai remained Dubai’s busiest destination across both 2025
and the first half of 2026, while New Delhi retained second place, highlighting
the continued importance of the two cities to the UAE–India business corridor.
However, Vista’s data shows a broader geographic spread in
executive travel, with Kolkata and Pune entering Dubai’s top five destinations
in H1 2026 after not featuring in the top 10 in 2025.
Chennai and Calicut also moved into the top 10 during the
first half of 2026, reflecting increasing connectivity between the UAE and
India’s specialist economic centers.
Stefano Miggiano, President – South Asia & Türkiye at
Vista, said: "As UAE–India economic ties continue to expand, business
aviation is playing a critical role in connecting decision-makers with the
markets and projects shaping this growth. While Mumbai and New Delhi remain
important destinations — reflecting a mature and long-established commercial
relationship — the more notable trend is the increasing accessibility for
executives to access India's specialist economic centers.
"Vista's global network and flexible connectivity
enable executives to travel efficiently between the UAE and a wider range of
Indian cities, including those where manufacturing, engineering, technology and
infrastructure projects are increasingly concentrated.”
Pune has developed into a major centre for advanced
manufacturing, automotive engineering and technology, while Chennai has
strengthened its position as a manufacturing and logistics gateway spanning
automotive, electronics, renewable energy, maritime industries and technology.
Kolkata serves as a gateway to eastern India’s industrial,
infrastructure and regional trade networks.
Vista said the changing destination mix reflects the wider
diversification of UAE–India commercial ties, as Gulf businesses increasingly
engage with locations where production, innovation and large-scale projects are
concentrated, rather than focusing solely on established corporate centres.
The trend comes as economic ties between the UAE and India
continue to deepen following implementation of the Comprehensive Economic
Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which has expanded cooperation across trade,
investment, financial services, technology, logistics, manufacturing and
innovation.
Dubai’s role as a global business hub also supports this
connectivity. Through initiatives such as the D33 Economic Agenda, the emirate
is seeking to strengthen its position as a platform connecting capital,
companies and talent across international markets.
Miggiano added: "Today’s executives operate across
increasingly complex international networks. They need the ability to move
efficiently between markets, visit operational sites, meet partners and respond
quickly to new opportunities. As business relationships become more
geographically diverse, flexible connectivity becomes increasingly important in
supporting growth across borders."
Vista said its global infrastructure provides Members with access to more than 2,400 airports across 96% of the world’s countries, allowing executives to connect with both established financial centres and emerging commercial destinations. -TradeArabia News Service