Air India alongside its budget division, Air India Express, will operate a total of 44 scheduled and unscheduled flights to and from the Middle East, on Tuesday, March 17, despite significant airspace limitations stemming from the geopolitical hostilities due to the US-Iran war.
Air India
As per an official announcement from Air India, the scheduled routes will stretch to Muscat and Jeddah. The Tata Group airline will execute its standard return routes between Delhi and Jeddah, as well as two departures from Mumbai, while Air India Express will maintain its scheduled operations to and from Kozhikode.
Also Read: Middle East Crisis: Air India, IndiGo Reschedule 48 Flights As Dubai Airport Halts Ops
Moreover, Air India Express will carry out its scheduled flights to and from Muscat, with departures from Delhi, Kochi (two flights), Kozhikode, Mangalore, Mumbai, and Tiruchirappalli, as noted in the statement.
Indigo Airlines
According to Indigo Airline update posted on, their X handle (formerly twiiter), “As per the latest update issued by Dubai Airport authorities, landing permissions for aircraft operating into DXB have been suspended until further notice in view of the prevailing situation in the region. Customers travelling to/from Dubai are requested to check their flight status at http://bit.ly/31paVKQ for real-time updates before leaving for the airport. We are also sending notifications to keep customers informed of the latest updates.”
No flights to and from UAE
On March 17, there are no flights from Air India or Air India Express to the United Arab Emirates, since the Gulf nation closed its airspace early on Tuesday morning. This has further complicated the efforts to restore normal flight operations as the conflict in Iran approaches its third week.
Also Read: DGCA Gives Flight Duty Time Relaxations To Air India Amid Middle East Conflict
Flight status
Numerous flights from UAE hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Al Ain to Indian cities such as Bengaluru, Delhi, Kochi, Kannur, and Mangalore are cancelled amid the ongoing regional tensions. Oman flights from Muscat to Delhi and Kozhikode, and Salalah to Mumbai, are also grounded.
Saudi Arabia routes face disruptions
Jeddah to Mumbai flight service is cancelled and Riyadh to Air India Express-Kochi is suspended, though Riyadh-Delhi operates. Qatar's Doha flights remain unaffected across the board.
Kuwait flights are cancelled, while Israel's Tel Aviv services show no activity. Travelers should check airline updates for real-time status on the Middle East-India routes.
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