Flights between India and key Middle East hubs like the UAE are gradually resuming after days of disruptions caused by regional airspace restrictions linked to geopolitical tensions in West Asia.
Airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, have begun restoring limited operations to major airports such as Dubai International Airport, King Abdulaziz International Airport, and Fujairah.
The phased resumption follows several days of cancellations that left hundreds of passengers stranded across transit hubs in the UAE, Oman and Saudi Arabia.
Air India, IndiGo announce additional flights
Air India said it has scheduled more than 30 additional flights yesterday (March 8) connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah to help bring stranded travellers back to India.
The airline has also announced a capacity expansion with 78 additional international flights between March 10 and 18, adding 17,660 extra seats across routes linking Delhi and Mumbai with cities in Europe, the United States, Maldives and Sri Lanka.
According to Air India’s CCO Nipun Aggarwal, the additional services are aimed at ensuring passengers continue to have reliable travel options despite global aviation disruptions.
Meanwhile, IndiGo confirmed it has restarted flight services to Europe and is currently operating from eight cities in West Asia, while closely monitoring the evolving security situation before restoring a full schedule.
The airline said it plans to operate 17 departures covering 34 flight sectors to eight Middle East destinations.
Government says over 50,000 Indians have returned
India’s Ministry of External Affairs said that more than 52,000 Indians who were in transit or on short-term visits in the Middle East have returned home between March 1 and March 7.
Of these, 32,107 passengers travelled on Indian carriers, while additional flights are planned in the coming days to assist more travellers.
Authorities said domestic and foreign airlines have worked together to ensure the safe return of Indian nationals amid ongoing airspace restrictions across the Gulf and West Asia.
SpiceJet adds relief flights
To help clear the backlog of stranded travellers, SpiceJet has also added extra services between Fujairah and several Indian cities.
The airline said the additional flights are aimed at assisting passengers affected by sudden cancellations earlier in the week and easing congestion at Gulf airports where travellers were waiting for onward connections.
Travel advisory for passengers
Airlines have urged passengers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport and ensure that their contact details are updated in booking records to receive real-time notifications about schedule changes.
With inputs from TOI, IT, ET
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