New Delhi: Air travel between India and parts of West Asia continues to face disruption as airlines respond to ongoing geopolitical tensions and restricted airspace. In a move to manage demand and maintain connectivity, Air India has significantly increased its operations to the United Arab Emirates, while IndiGo is running limited services with flexible scheduling.
Air India Expands UAE Services
On Tuesday, the Air India Group is set to operate a total of 32 flights connecting India with West Asia. Notably, half of these are special, non-scheduled flights to and from the UAE, introduced to compensate for cancellations and rerouting caused by current restrictions.
Cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah are being served primarily through these additional flights. Air India plans to operate a Delhi–Dubai service, while its subsidiary, Air India Express, will connect multiple Indian cities—including Mangalore, Kochi, and Mumbai—to destinations in the UAE. Sharjah will also receive flights from Amritsar and Kannur under these temporary arrangements.
Other UAE destinations, like Ras Al Khaimah, are seeing limited movement, while Al Ain currently has no active services.
Mixed Operations Across the Region
Elsewhere in West Asia, flight operations remain uneven. Oman continues to have scheduled connectivity on the Muscat route, but services to Salalah are still suspended.
In Saudi Arabia, partial operations are ongoing. Jeddah and Riyadh are being served by select flights from Indian cities, while Dammam remains off the schedule for now.
Meanwhile, flights to Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait, and Tel Aviv are still suspended, reflecting the wider impact of regional instability on aviation routes.
IndiGo Maintains Select Connectivity
IndiGo has opted for a cautious approach, operating only select flights to the Middle East. The airline is continuously adjusting its schedules in coordination with aviation authorities, depending on evolving conditions.
Passenger Support Measures in Place
To assist affected travelers, Air India is offering flexible options, including free rescheduling and full refunds for cancelled flights. Passengers booked on UAE routes are also being allowed to shift to alternative services without extra charges. Airlines are actively contacting customers to help manage itinerary changes.
Despite the disruptions in West Asia, Air India has confirmed that its long-haul flights to destinations in North America, Europe, and Australia remain unaffected.
Advisory for Travelers
With flight schedules changing frequently, passengers are strongly advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport. Airlines are continuing to monitor the situation closely and may introduce additional flights if approvals are granted and demand persists.
The evolving situation highlights how regional tensions can quickly impact global travel, forcing airlines to adapt operations in real time.
