Quick summary
Air India and Air India Express are operating additional relief flights from the UAE to India as of March 8, 2026, following Gulf airspace closures that stranded thousands of Indian nationals after over 9,500 flight cancellations across seven Middle East airports since February 28. The carriers resumed partial operations through Dubai and Abu Dhabi after Emirates and Etihad restarted limited services on March 2, though Doha Airport remains fully suspended.
The closures stem from escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict that shuttered key Asia-Pacific transit hubs handling 90,000 daily passengers across Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways. Indian nationals holding confirmed tickets on canceled flights can contact Air India’s helpline at +91-11-24624074 to secure seats on relief operations departing UAE airports in the next 48–72 hours.
The war escalated sharply on March 2 when Hezbollah launched rocket strikes into Israel, prompting Israeli ground troops to deploy into Lebanon and shattering the 2024 ceasefire that had held for 14 months.
Within hours, Dubai International Airport (DXB), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Doha (DOH) — the three busiest transit points between Asia-Pacific and Europe — suspended nearly all commercial operations.
Over 3,400 flights were canceled on March 2 alone, bringing the five-day total to nearly 10,000 across DXB, DOH, AUH, Sharjah (SHJ), Kuwait (KWI), Bahrain (BAH), and Dubai World Central (DWC).
How Air India is responding to the stranded passenger crisis
Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express announced additional flights from UAE airports starting March 3, prioritizing Indian nationals whose bookings were canceled during the initial shutdown. The carriers are operating relief services from both Dubai and Abu Dhabi, where partial airport operations resumed on the evening of March 2.
Emirates was among the first to restart limited flights from Dubai that evening, focusing on earlier bookings and high-priority passengers. Etihad Airways followed suit from Abu Dhabi, with Flightradar24 tracking showing departures resuming around 8 PM local time on March 2.
Doha Airport, however, remains fully closed to commercial traffic. Qatar Airways — which handles roughly 30,000 daily transit passengers connecting Asia-Pacific to Europe and North America — has suspended all operations indefinitely. The US government arranged charter flights for American citizens as commercial options evaporated, while France organized two evacuation flights that landed in Paris on March 3.
Indian nationals stranded in the UAE should contact Air India directly at +91-11-24624074 to confirm availability on relief flights. The airline is prioritizing passengers with urgent travel needs, including those with expired visas or medical conditions. NPR affiliate WGLT confirmed that over 9,500 cancellations have occurred since February 28, with partial resumptions at DXB and AUH offering the first exit routes for stranded travelers.
Between the lines
Air India’s decision to add relief flights — rather than simply rebooking passengers on existing services — signals the carrier expects Gulf airspace restrictions to persist beyond the initial 72-hour window. The airline typically reserves dedicated relief operations for situations where normal capacity cannot absorb displaced passengers within a week, which suggests internal forecasts anticipate prolonged disruption through mid-March at minimum.
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Why this disruption exceeds previous Middle East tensions
The scale of this closure dwarfs the 2024 regional flare-up, when thousands of flights were canceled over a two-week period. This time, nearly 10,000 cancellations materialized in just five days, concentrating the impact on the three Gulf hubs that collectively handle more Asia-Pacific transit traffic than any other region.
For travelers from Australia, Europe, and North America, the Gulf carriers — Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways — represent the primary connection points to Southeast Asia, South Asia, and beyond. Roughly 90,000 passengers transit through these three hubs daily, with the majority connecting between long-haul flights rather than originating in the UAE or Qatar.
The sudden closure forced airlines to reroute or cancel services that depend on Gulf airspace. European carriers flying to Asia now face longer flight times and higher fuel costs if they avoid the affected zones, while Asian carriers lose their primary European connection points. The ripple effect extends to secondary hubs like Singapore and Bangkok, which are absorbing overflow traffic but lack the capacity to replace Gulf operations entirely.
This mirrors broader airspace closure dynamics that have reshaped Asia-Pacific routing since 2022, though the Gulf closures affect a more concentrated passenger base over a shorter timeframe.
What stranded travelers should do now
Contact your airline immediately. Air India, Emirates, and Etihad are prioritizing rebooking for passengers with canceled flights. Air India’s helpline (+91-11-24624074) is handling relief flight bookings for Indian nationals, while Emirates and Etihad are processing rebookings through their Manage Booking tools online.
Monitor airport status in real time. Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports are operating at reduced capacity with frequent schedule changes. Check Flightradar24 or your airline’s app for live departure updates rather than relying on email notifications, which can lag by several hours.
Secure visa extensions if needed. Indian nationals stranded in the UAE should contact the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) or UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) websites for guidance on temporary visa extensions. Most Gulf states have activated emergency protocols for stranded passengers, but processing times vary.
Avoid rebooking through Doha. Qatar Airways operations remain fully suspended with no confirmed restart date. Passengers holding DOH connections should request alternative routing through Dubai, Abu Dhabi, or non-Gulf hubs like Singapore or Bangkok.
Watch: The next 48 hours will determine whether partial operations at DXB and AUH expand to full schedules or contract again if airspace restrictions tighten. Air India’s relief flight schedule will likely adjust based on UAE airport capacity announcements expected by March 10.
Questions? Answers.
Can I get a refund if my Gulf carrier flight was canceled?
Yes. EU261 regulations apply to flights departing EU airports, entitling passengers to full refunds or rebooking at no cost. For flights departing Asia-Pacific or North America, refund policies depend on the airline’s terms — Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways are offering full refunds or rebooking for cancellations related to the airspace closure, though processing times may exceed 14 days.
Are there alternative routes to Asia that avoid the Gulf entirely?
Yes, though options are limited and often more expensive. Singapore Airlines, Cathay Pacific, and Thai Airways operate direct services from Europe and Australia to their respective hubs without transiting Gulf airspace. From North America, nonstop flights to Tokyo, Seoul, or Taipei connect onward to Southeast Asia, but these routes typically cost 20–40% more than Gulf carrier fares and add 2–4 hours to total travel time.
How long do Gulf airspace closures typically last during regional conflicts?
Historical precedent varies widely. The 2024 tensions resulted in partial closures lasting 11–16 days before full commercial operations resumed. However, the 1991 Gulf War saw Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports operate at reduced capacity for nearly six weeks. Current US and French government evacuation efforts suggest officials are planning for disruptions extending at least two weeks, possibly longer if ground operations in Lebanon intensify.
Will travel insurance cover costs if I’m stranded in the UAE?
It depends on your policy’s “civil unrest” or “war exclusion” clauses. Most standard travel insurance policies exclude coverage for losses directly caused by war or military action, though some comprehensive policies cover additional accommodation and rebooking fees if you’re stranded due to airspace closures. Check your policy documents or contact your insurer directly — many are activating emergency claims processes for passengers affected by the Gulf closures.
