New Delhi: Air India Express, a subsidiary of the national carrier, on Monday commenced tri-weekly direct flight service between the temple city of Varanasi and Sharjah.

"It is a momentous occasion for Varanasi, areas nearby and the expatriate Indian community in the UAE which will now have safe, convenient and affordable direct air travel option," said Mahesh Sharma, minister of state (MoS), civil aviation, culture and tourism.