Air India Express, the budget arm of Air India, has introduced thrice-a-week flights between Varanasi and Sharjah. The non-stop flight will operate on Mondays, Thursdays and Saturdays. The airline is offering an introductory discounted fare of Rs 8,600 one way, inclusive of all taxes. Air India has also introduced a hub and spoke service from Varanasi, which will connect the passengers to/from Air India flights in Delhi for convenient links with destinations abroad, including the Gulf countries, Jeddah, Moscow, Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong.