IndiGo, SpiceJet Aid Stranded Indians in West Asia with Refunds & Flights

Indian airlines are escalating efforts to assist travelers affected by rising tensions in West Asia. IndiGo has announced a full waiver on cancellations for travel to and from the Middle East and Istanbul until March 31, 2026. Simultaneously, SpiceJet is operating 14 special flights from Fujairah and Dubai to Indian cities like Mumbai, Delhi, and Pune to repatriate stranded nationals. Despite the conflict, some passengers arriving from the UAE have described the country as safe, with airlines coordinating limited flight operations with local authorities.

Key Points: Airlines Offer Refunds, Flights for Indians Stranded in West Asia

  • IndiGo offers full waiver on cancellations to/from Middle East
  • SpiceJet operates 14 special flights from UAE on March 6
  • Passengers describe UAE as safe despite regional conflict
  • Airlines coordinating limited operations with UAE authorities
3 min read

Relief for stranded Indians in West Asia: IndiGo offers full refunds; SpiceJet deploys 14 special flights from UAE

IndiGo offers full refunds and SpiceJet deploys 14 special flights from UAE to help stranded Indian nationals return home amid regional tensions.

"I did not feel like Dubai was unsafe. - Rahul Ghosh"

New Delhi, March 6

Indian airlines on Friday intensified their assistance for travellers impacted by the situation amid rising tensions in West Asia. While IndiGo has provided a month-long window for free cancellations and rescheduling until March 31, and SpiceJet has deployed 14 special flights from Fujairah and Dubai facilitate the return of stranded Indian nationals.

Indigo in a post on X mentioned a Travel Advisory which said, "Full waiver on cancellations are being extended for travel to and from the Middle East, and Istanbul, until 31 March 2026. If you are scheduled to travel, please stay updated on your flight status here http://bit.ly/31paVKQ.

If you require additional support or clarification, please contact our Customer Contact Centre at +91 124 6173838.

Please be assured that our teams remain actively engaged, working with care and diligence to support your travel plans while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers and crew."

On the other hand, according to a SpiceJet press release, SpiceJet will operate 14 special flights from the United Arab Emirates on March 6 to facilitate the return of stranded Indian nationals.

Of the 14 flights, 13 will operate from Fujairah, and one will operate from Dubai. The airline will operate nine special flights from Fujairah to Mumbai, four special flights from Fujairah to Delhi and one special flight from Dubai to Pune, providing additional capacity to help stranded passengers return home at the earliest.

In the last 3 days, SpiceJet has operated 25 special flights from the UAE, connecting stranded passengers to Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi.

Meanwhile, Indian passengers arriving at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Friday from Dubai, UAE, described the West Asian country as "safe" amid the ongoing conflict in the region.

Passengers told ANI that the UAE government provided help and support amid a tense situation caused by flight cancellations.

A passenger, Rahul Ghosh, said, "I am coming from Kuwait. In Dubai, we were told that our flight had been cancelled due to the war. There is no struggle. I did not feel like Dubai was unsafe."

On Thursday, the Embassy of India in Abu Dhabi clarified that the airspace and the regular flight operations are still suspended in view of the situation; however, the Indian and the UAE airlines have commenced limited non-scheduled flight operations to multiple destinations in India, in coordination with the UAE authorities, subject to operational and safety approvals of relevant authorities. The stranded Indian nationals may avail themselves of these flights by contacting their respective airlines.

This comes after the US and Israel conducted coordinated airstrikes across multiple Iranian cities, targeting military command centres, air-defence systems, missile sites, and key regime infrastructure.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rahul R
Good to see proactive steps. My cousin was stuck in Dubai. He managed to get on a SpiceJet flight to Mumbai yesterday. The process was chaotic at the airport but he's just relieved to be home. The government and airlines should have acted a bit faster though.
A
Aman W
The waiver until March 2026? That's a very long window, IndiGo. Seems more like a PR move than immediate help. Most people need solutions NOW, not flexibility for travel three years from now. The special flights are the real need of the hour.
S
Sarah B
Working in Abu Dhabi. The situation on the ground is tense but under control. The UAE authorities have been helpful. Glad to see Indian airlines stepping up. Hope the airspace opens fully soon.
V
Vikram M
SpiceJet operating 25 flights in 3 days is commendable. This is what 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (the world is one family) looks like in action. Bringing our people home safely should always be the top priority. 🙏
K
Kavya N
The real heroes are the flight crews and ground staff working in a difficult situation. Praying for everyone's safety—both those coming home and those who have to stay back for work. Please also think about the students stranded there.

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

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