Air India and Air India Express will operate a total of 36 flights to and from West Asia on March 31, 2026, even as tensions persist in the region. Out of these, 20 flights will be categorised as non-scheduled flights, primarily connecting Indian cities to prominent UAE cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
The airline has clarified that these operations will be subject to slot availability and conditions at departure points. All these operations will be conducted with the necessary approvals from the Indian authorities and the UAE authorities.
Routes and operations breakdown
Non-scheduled flights will connect Delhi to Dubai, while Abu Dhabi will have flights connecting several Indian cities, such as Delhi, Kozhikode, Mangalore, and Mumbai, through Air India Express. Flights will also operate from Amritsar and Kannur to Sharjah.
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Scheduled flights will operate on some routes. Air India Express will operate scheduled flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Muscat. Flights to Saudi Arabia are also operating. Air India is operating flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Jeddah, while from Delhi, there are flights to Riyadh. Air India Express will operate flights from Hyderabad, Kannur, and Kozhikode to Jeddah.
Flights to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Tel Aviv are suspended for now. Air India has said that flights to America, Europe, and Australia are operating normally. The disruptions are only in West Asia.
Rebooking and refund options
Passengers who are impacted by the cancellations or suspensions can also choose to travel on another flight on a later date without any extra cost, or seek a full refund.
Air India Express passengers travelling from UAE stations can also shift to alternative flights from any UAE airport to India at no extra cost.
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Digital support for passengers
Air India Express has also introduced the management of bookings through its AI assistant “Tia” on WhatsApp, which is another way for passengers to seek assistance during the ongoing disruptions.
These developments are happening at a time when the US-Iran conflict is escalating further. The recent threats of further military action and the reports of the attack on the areas around the important shipping route, the Strait of Hormuz, have further added to the uncertainty.
