Relief for Indians amid Iran war: Air India, Air India Express to operate 48 flights to and from West Asia

Air India and Air India Express on Monday announced that it will operate about 48 flights to and from the West Asian region today amid the escalating tensions following the ongoing strikes between United States, Iran, and Israel.  

In a press release, Air India said that it will operate one return service each from Delhi and Mumbai, while Air India Express will operate one flight each from Bengaluru, Kozhikode and Mangalore.  

#ImportantUpdate

Air India and Air India Express will operate 48 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the West Asia region.

To know more: https://t.co/sRsugeANL9

— Air India (@airindia) March 15, 2026

Air India Express will also operate 12 scheduled flights to and from Muscat, with one service each from Delhi, Kannur, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram and two services from Kochi.

Temporarily suspended all operations to Dubai International Airport

Air India also announced on Monday that it has temporarily suspended all operations to Dubai International Airport for the day.  

#ImportantUpdate
Dubai Flight Operations Suspended

Dubai International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations to and from the airport.

As a result, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Dubai have been cancelled for the day.

We are offering all…

— Air India (@airindia) March 16, 2026

“Dubai International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations to and from the airport. As a result, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Dubai have been cancelled for the day.”

Other flights also operating special flights 

SpiceJet is operating special flights from Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates to India, along with an additional service from Dubai to Pune to assist stranded passengers.

Qatar Airways is also planning flights to several Indian cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi, to help Indian nationals return home.

Gulf Air said some of its services are being routed through King Fahd International Airport in Dammam as Bahrain’s airspace remains closed.

Flights are taking longer alternative routes because airspace over Iran and Iraq is restricted. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has temporarily relaxed flight duty rules for Air India due to these longer flying hours.  

Airlines are advising passengers to remain patient and check their flight status before going to the airport, as schedules may change due to the ongoing conflict situation.