India–Gulf Flights Resume Gradually As Air India, IndiGo Add Special Services

Air travel between India and the Gulf is gradually resuming after disruptions caused by the Iran–Israel conflict, with Air India and IndiGo announcing special flights to bring back stranded passengers.

Rising tensions forced several West Asian countries to close their airspace, leading to widespread cancellations and leaving thousands stranded across Gulf airports.

As some airspaces reopened, airports in Dubai and Abu Dhabi partially resumed operations, allowing limited flights to evacuate passengers.

Air India said it has arranged additional services to assist travellers.

In a post on X, the airline said Air India and Air India Express continue scheduled flights to and from Jeddah and Muscat. It also announced extra flights to Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah on March 7 to bring stranded passengers back to India.

Air India said its long-haul flights to Europe and North America continue to operate through alternative safe routes.

Air India and Air India Express will operate around 50 services on March 7, connecting India with six Gulf cities — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Jeddah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah.

The flights, including additional services after Saudi Arabia and Oman reopened their airspace, will link cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru and Thiruvananthapuram with Gulf destinations.

Air India said the extra flights aim to assist passengers stranded during the crisis.

IndiGo has also resumed limited Middle East operations but cancelled 144 international flights scheduled for March 7 due to ongoing airspace restrictions.

Airlines are expected to restore more services as conditions stabilise.

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