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Air India Launches 32 Rescue Flights to UAE Amid Gulf Tensions

Amid security concerns in the Gulf region, Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express will maintain their scheduled services to Jeddah and Muscat. The airlines are additionally operating 32 special non-scheduled flights to the United Arab Emirates to repatriate stranded Indian nationals. These ad-hoc flights are being run from multiple Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru to destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. The Indian government has reported that over 52,000 Indians have already been safely brought home from the Gulf region in the first week of March.

Key Points: Air India, AI Express Operate Rescue Flights from Gulf

  • Scheduled flights continue to Jeddah & Muscat
  • 32 ad-hoc flights to UAE on March 9
  • Flights subject to slot availability & permissions
  • Over 52,000 Indians repatriated March 1-7
3 min read

Air India, AI Express to continue with scheduled services to and from Jeddah, Muscat; to operate 32 ad-hoc non-scheduled flights to UAE

Air India and Air India Express to run scheduled flights to Jeddah, Muscat and 32 ad-hoc flights to UAE to repatriate stranded Indian travellers.

"to assist in bringing stranded travellers home to India - Air India Statement"

New Delhi, March 9

Amid the developing security situation in West Asia and the Gulf, Air India issued a travel advisory on Sunday, noting that Air India and Air India Express would continue with their scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat. It further noted that in addition to the scheduled services, both airlines would operate a total of 32 ad-hoc non-scheduled flights to the United Arab Emirates on Monday to assist in bringing stranded travellers home to India.

The official statement said, "Air India and Air India Express will continue to operate their respective scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat on 9 March 2026, as the airspaces over Saudi Arabia and Oman remain open. The two airlines will together operate a total of 10 flights to and from Jeddah and Air India Express will operate 14 flights to and from Muscat."

It added, "On 9 March 2026, Air India will operate one round-trip each from Delhi and Mumbai to Jeddah, and Air India Express will operate one round-trip each from Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kozhikode. Air India Express will also operate its scheduled services to Muscat, including one round-trip each from Delhi, Mumbai, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Tiruchirappalli, and two round-trips from Kochi."

With respect to the additional ad-hoc flights, the statement said, "In addition to the scheduled services, Air India and Air India Express would operate a total of 32 ad-hoc non-scheduled flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on 09 March 2026 to assist in bringing stranded travellers home to India, subject to the availability of slots and other prevailing conditions at the respective point of departure at the time. These flights are being operated with the requisite permissions from the relevant Indian and local regulatory authorities. While Air India would operate 10 non-scheduled flights to and from Dubai, including three round-trips from Mumbai and two round-trips from Delhi, Air India Express will operate one round-trip each to Dubai from Mumbai and Bengaluru."

It further informed, "Air India Express will also operate non-scheduled flights to the other emirates of the UAE, including one round-trip each to Abu Dhabi from Bengaluru and Mumbai, one round-trip each to Sharjah from Bengaluru and Mumbai, and one-round trip each to Ras Al-Khaimah from Delhi, Bengaluru, Kochi, and two round-trips from Mumbai."

Earlier on Saturday, the Ministry of External Affairs shared an update on the evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, noting that more than 52,000 Indians travelled safely from the Gulf region to India between March 1-7, 2026 and that a dedicated special control room has been set up to monitor and respond to queries from those affected.

In an official press statement, the MEA said that the Government of India is continuously monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, especially with regard to the welfare of Indian nationals who have been stranded there during transit or on short-duration visits.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently to the Gulf for work, this is reassuring news. The communication from the MEA and the airlines is clear. Hope the situation stabilizes soon for everyone's sake.
P
Priyanka N
While the effort is appreciated, I hope the ticket prices for these special flights are not exorbitant. In times of crisis, airlines should show some responsibility and not just see it as a profit opportunity. Many stranded Indians are blue-collar workers.
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Vikram M
Operation homecoming in action! 52,000 people brought back in a week is no small feat. Jai Hind! 🙏 It's good to see flights from multiple cities like Kochi, Bengaluru, and Kozhikode – covers the major hubs for Gulf workers.
A
Aman W
The detail in the advisory is helpful – specifying flights from Tiruchirappalli, Kannur, etc. Many families in Tamil Nadu and Kerala will be breathing easier tonight. Hope the permissions and slots come through smoothly.
M
Michael C
This is a well-coordinated logistical move. Operating 32 extra flights on short notice is impressive. It shows the importance of having a strong national carrier during international emergencies.

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