Domestic airlines are preparing to operate additional non-scheduled flights from the Gulf region on Sunday, pending approvals from Indian and local authorities, due to ongoing tensions in the Middle East. The airlines will be running extra non-scheduled flights on March 8, mainly because of continued airspace restrictions in other parts of West Asia. Air India has announced plans to run additional flights between Delhi, Mumbai, and Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, with Air India Express also scheduling 30 extra flights connecting various cities in India and the UAE, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah.
Additional non-scheduled flights are set to fly to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al-Khaimah, and Sharjah on March 8 to repatriate stranded passengers back to India. Air India emphasized the dynamic nature of the situation in West Asia, cautioning that flight schedules could change suddenly. The airline advised passengers to check their flight status on the website before departure and assured that updates would be provided on registered contact numbers. Passengers were also encouraged to contact the 24×7 Contact Centre for further information.
While Air India’s services to Europe and North America are operating as usual via safe alternative routes, IndiGo acknowledged the evolving situation in the Middle East. IndiGo expressed understanding for customers awaiting travel to important destinations and announced the resumption of Europe operations on March 8, reconnecting passengers with key destinations across the region. The airline also confirmed its commitment to continuing flights to 8 Middle Eastern destinations, cautioning passengers about possible short-notice changes in flight schedules. IndiGo assured that updates would be shared on the website and social media platforms as the situation progresses.
