Airlines Resume Gulf–India Flights As Operations Gradually Stabilise

Flights between India and West Asia are starting to return after recent disruptions, as airlines bring services back in stages. IndiGo said it will resume its Dubai routes, reconnecting the city with destinations in India as operations begin to steady.

India’s biggest airline has brought back its Dubai–India services after a brief pause linked to recent developments in the Middle East. Flights restarted at 16:00 local time in Dubai on March 18, 2026, once approval came through from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

IndiGo said it is planning to operate its scheduled services on March 19, but only if safety checks and clearances are completed. Passengers have been asked to verify timings online before travelling, while support has been arranged for those impacted by the earlier disruption.

Special Flights Planned

IndiGo has scheduled special flights for March 19 to restore connectivity between key Indian cities — including Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Bengaluru and Hyderabad — and West Asian destinations such as Dubai, Istanbul, Muscat and Jeddah. The additional services are aimed at assisting passengers affected by recent regional airspace disruptions.

A large share of the flights will operate on the Dubai sector, which resumed on March 18 at 16:00 local time following earlier clearance from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority.

The special operations are planned for a single day to support passenger movement across the region, while several routes, including Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah, remain suspended until March 28.

Passengers have been advised to check flight status before travel, as schedules may change at short notice depending on airspace conditions and regulatory approvals.

Other Airlines Resume

Several other carriers have also begun restoring flights across West Asia routes. Air India is scheduled to operate 48 flights, both regular and additional services, on March 19. These will cover destinations to and from the region. SpiceJet has reported that it has crossed 100 completed services on routes linking the UAE and India, with additional flights expected to be introduced over the next few days as demand and operations pick up. Passengers have been asked to double-check departure timings before heading to the airport.

Regional Tensions Disrupt Gulf Air Routes

Air travel across the Gulf has been heavily affected as tensions between the United States, Israel and Iran continue to escalate. Several major airports in the region, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, have faced interruptions ranging from flight cancellations to temporary shutdowns after drone-related security concerns. In some cases, authorities also closed sections of regional airspace, forcing airlines to alter routes and delay long-haul services.

On March 16, a large fire near Dubai International Airport disrupted air travel, after a drone struck a fuel tank in the area. Airport authorities stopped flights for a period while emergency services dealt with the blaze and safety checks were carried out for passengers and staff.

FAQs

What is driving the disruption in Gulf air travel?
Rising geopolitical tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran have led to increased security concerns across the region.

Which airports have been affected?
Major hubs including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have reported operational interruptions.

What kind of disruptions have been seen?
Airports have faced flight cancellations, temporary shutdowns and schedule delays.

Why are airlines changing flight routes?
Airspace restrictions and security risks have forced carriers to reroute services.

Are international flights impacted?
Yes, several long-haul and connecting flights have been delayed or diverted due to the situation.