NewKerala.com

Indian Airlines Resume Doha Flights as Fragile West Asia Ceasefire Holds

Indian carriers including Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express will resume operations at Hamad International Airport from May 1, reconnecting Doha with major Indian cities. The resumption comes after a two-month closure triggered by Operation Epic Fury, a US-Israeli military campaign against Iran. Qatari airspace was largely closed, and Hamad Airport operated only limited flights since early March. A fragile two-week ceasefire brokered in Islamabad and extended by President Trump has enabled commercial insurers to greenlight the return of major carriers.

Key Points: Indian Carriers Resume Doha Flights in West Asia Ceasefire

  • Indian carriers Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express resume Doha flights May 1
  • Resumption follows two months after Operation Epic Fury, a US-Israeli campaign
  • Qatari airspace was largely closed, Hamad Airport limited to emergency flights
  • Fragile two-week ceasefire brokered in Islamabad, extended by President Trump
2 min read

Indian carriers plan to resume operations at Hamad International Airport as fragile ceasefire holds in West Asia

Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express resume operations at Hamad International Airport from May 1, as a fragile two-week ceasefire holds in West Asia.

"Indian carriers plan to resume operations at Hamad International Airport, Doha, as flight operations continue to expand. - Embassy of India Doha, Qatar"

Doha, April 30

In a significant move, India's leading airlines are set to restore full-scale operations at Hamad International Airport starting today, May 1.

The resumption comes exactly two months after Operation Epic Fury (launched Feb 28, 2026), a joint US-Israeli military campaign that targeted Iranian leadership and nuclear infrastructure. This triggered a massive regional conflagration.

Three of India's most prominent carriers will spearhead the return to Hamad International, reconnecting Doha with various major Indian metros and regional hubs, Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo.

"Indian carriers plan to resume operations at Hamad International Airport, Doha, as flight operations continue to expand. Air India, Air India Express and Indigo plan to resume their flight services between Doha and various destinations in India starting 1 May 2026," posted Embassy of India Doha, Qatar on X.

The Embassy emphasised that this expansion is not an isolated effort but a synchronised move between international aviation bodies.

While flights resume May 1, the Embassy warns that schedules remain "subject to coordination with relevant authorities," reflecting the reality that in the 2026 Middle East, peace is still a day-to-day negotiation.

The Embassy has urged travellers to stay proactive. Passengers should remain in constant contact with their respective airlines for real-time updates on flight schedules, terminal assignments, and booking status.

Despite its role as a mediator, Qatar was drawn into the crossfire. Iranian strikes on March 18 damaged 17% of Qatar's LNG export capacity at Ras Laffan, leading to an "unprecedented shutdown" of its energy and aviation hubs.

Qatari airspace was largely closed to commercial traffic for nearly two months, with Hamad International Airport (DOH) operating only limited emergency and evacuation flights since early March.

A delicate two-week ceasefire, brokered in Islamabad in mid-April and recently extended by President Trump, has finally provided a "security window" wide enough for commercial insurers to greenlight the return of major international carriers.

The resumption of flights by Indian carriers, who maintain a neutral but vital role in the region, serves as a "soft" stabilisation measure that helps cool the regional economy while high-level nuclear talks stall in Islamabad.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

M
Michelle N
Wait, they damaged Qatar's LNG plants? That's huge for global energy markets. As someone who works in logistics, this is going to impact fuel prices everywhere, including India. The resumption of flights is a good sign, but I'm worried about the domino effect on our economy. We should be diversifying our energy sources, not relying solely on Gulf supplies.
P
Priya S
Finally some good news! My cousin was stuck in Doha for weeks, couldn't come back for Holi or even get a flight out. The embassy did help, but the uncertainty was terrible for everyone. I just hope Air India and IndiGo have proper contingency plans this time. We've seen how quickly things can go wrong in that region. Stay safe, everyone flying out! ✈️🇮🇳
D
David E
This "soft stabilisation" is just optics while the real negotiations stall. Everyone's forgetting the bigger picture - Iran's nuclear program, US-Israeli strikes, and a region that's been burned before. India's caught in the middle, trying to keep its diaspora safe and energy flowing. Good move by the airlines, but I'm not booking any tickets there for at least another month. Let the dust settle first.
S
Siddharth J
As someone who works in the aviation sector, I can tell you this is a logistical nightmare for the airlines. Coordinating with Qatari authorities, insurers, and getting crew back in position after two months is no joke. Kudos to the teams making this happen. But the embassy's warning about "day-to-day" peace is spot-on. We need a permanent solution, not just a ceasefire that could collapse any moment. India should push harder for de-escalation in Islamabad.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50