Quick summary
Air India operated 78 combined flights to West Asia on March 13, 2026, scaling to 48 flights on March 16 and 19 as Middle East airspace closures forced route suspensions to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Tel Aviv, and Dammam. Services now concentrate on Jeddah and Muscat, with affected passengers eligible for fee-free rebooking or full refunds through airline channels.
The carrier adjusted flight numbers daily based on slot availability — down to 44 on March 17 — while maintaining normal operations to North America, Europe, and Australia. Travelers with existing bookings transiting UAE, Qatar, or Saudi hubs should verify itineraries immediately, as connectivity gaps persist through late March.
Geopolitical tensions closed airspace over Iran and Iraq in early March 2026, stranding thousands of passengers across West Asia and forcing Indian carriers to suspend multiple routes. Air India responded with a fluctuating repatriation schedule — 78 flights on March 13, dropping to 48 on March 16 and 19, then 44 on March 17 — as the airline navigated slot constraints at Jeddah and Muscat while canceling services to five cities.
The suspensions hit Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Tel Aviv, and Dammam. Ongoing flights serve only Jeddah (from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kozhikode, Mangalore) and Muscat (from Delhi, Kannur, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi). Passengers holding tickets on canceled routes can rebook without fees or claim full refunds — Air India contacts affected travelers via registered mobile numbers, while Air India Express uses its WhatsApp bot “Tia.”
On March 7, Indian carriers operated 51 inbound flights carrying 8,175 passengers from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Jeddah. IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet contributed to that total, but Air India bore the bulk of repatriation duties as the flag carrier with the widest West Asia network.
How the repatriation operation unfolded
The airline added ad hoc services to Riyadh from Mumbai and Kozhikode alongside scheduled Jeddah and Muscat frequencies, according to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation. Flight numbers shifted daily as airport slot coordinators in Saudi Arabia and Oman prioritized humanitarian operations over commercial schedules. The March 13 peak of 78 flights included six to Jeddah and 12 to Muscat, but by March 17, the total fell to 44 as available slots tightened.
Flights to North America, Europe, and Australia operated normally throughout the disruption. Air India added 78 flights to Europe and the US between March 10 and 18 — including extra Delhi–London Heathrow services — to absorb passengers rerouting away from West Asia connections. For travelers planning trips to India, direct routes from North America remain unaffected.
| Date | Total flights | Key destinations | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| March 13 | 78 | Jeddah (6), Muscat (12), Riyadh (ad hoc) | Peak repatriation |
| March 16 | 48 | Jeddah, Muscat | Slot constraints |
| March 17 | 44 | Jeddah, Muscat | Reduced capacity |
| March 19 | 48 | Jeddah, Muscat | Stabilizing |
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What April 2024 tells us about recovery timelines
In April 2024, Iran-Israel tensions closed Middle East airspace and stranded over 10,000 Indians across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar. Air India operated 169 special flights over 10 days, repatriating most passengers by May 2024 after partial airspace reopening. The Indian government coordinated through the Ministry of Civil Aviation, using the same framework now in place for March 2026 operations.
Full route resumption took until June 2024 — roughly eight weeks from the initial closure. The current disruption follows a similar pattern: immediate repatriation flights, followed by gradual slot expansion as airspace restrictions lift. The difference this time is the scale — 78 flights in a single day exceeds the April 2024 peak, suggesting either more passengers stranded or better coordination with airport authorities.
Gulf carriers like Emirates and Etihad suspended Israel flights but maintained India services throughout, operating daily A380 and Boeing 787 frequencies from Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Qatar Airways, a Star Alliance member, competes on price with 50+ weekly flights to India from Doha — though those services now face the same airspace constraints as Air India. The gap created by these suspensions is what Air India‘s ad hoc flights are filling, particularly for passengers who booked connecting itineraries through West Asia hubs. For context on how airspace closures reshape routing, see how Russia closures affect Asia flights.
Steps for affected travelers
Airspace closures over Iran and Iraq create high-risk connections through West Asia hubs through late March — here is the priority order for protecting your trip.
- Existing bookings with West Asia connections: Check your itinerary now via the airline’s app or website. If your flight routes through Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Tel Aviv, or Dammam, contact the carrier immediately for rebooking. Air India passengers receive SMS updates to registered mobile numbers; Air India Express passengers use the WhatsApp bot “Tia” for rebooking.
- Planning new trips to India: Book nonstop flights from North America (JFK, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco to Delhi/Mumbai) or Europe (London, Frankfurt, Paris to Delhi) to avoid hub disruptions. If connecting through West Asia is unavoidable, choose Dubai or Abu Dhabi over Doha — Emirates and Etihad maintain higher frequency and slot priority.
- Currently stranded in West Asia: Contact your airline’s local office or customer service hotline. Air India prioritizes Jeddah and Muscat repatriation flights — if you’re in the UAE, expect longer wait times as those hubs handle commercial traffic alongside humanitarian operations. Refunds are available if rebooking doesn’t suit your schedule.
- Travel insurance claims: Airspace closures typically qualify as “force majeure” under most policies, meaning coverage depends on your specific plan’s wording. File claims immediately with documentation of canceled flights and rebooking costs — insurers process these faster when geopolitical events are widely reported.
Watch: India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation issues daily airspace updates. If flight counts exceed 50 per day consistently, it signals stabilizing repatriation and partial route resumption. If DGCA approves additional slots after March 20, expect 60+ daily flights and faster recovery. If not, suspensions extend through late April.
Questions? Answers.
Which Air India routes to West Asia are still operating?
Only Jeddah (from Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kozhikode, Mangalore) and Muscat (from Delhi, Kannur, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi) remain active as of March 19, 2026. Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Tel Aviv, and Dammam services are suspended until airspace reopens.
Can I get a refund if my Air India flight to West Asia was canceled?
Yes. Air India offers full refunds or fee-free rebooking for all canceled West Asia flights. Contact the airline via your registered mobile number (for Air India) or WhatsApp bot “Tia” (for Air India Express) to process your request.
Are flights from North America and Europe to India affected?
No. Nonstop Air India flights from New York, Newark, Chicago, San Francisco, London, Frankfurt, and Paris to Delhi and Mumbai operate normally. Only itineraries connecting through West Asia hubs (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) face disruptions.
How long will the West Asia route suspensions last?
Based on April 2024 precedent, full route resumption took eight weeks after airspace reopened. Current suspensions depend on geopolitical developments — monitor India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation for daily updates. If flight counts stabilize above 50 per day, expect gradual recovery by mid-April 2026.
