Air India and AI Express to Operate 44 West Asia Flights Today Amid Regional Tensions

New Delhi, March 17, 2026 – In a significant move to maintain connectivity despite escalating regional challenges, the Air India Group has announced that it will operate a combined total of 44 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from West Asia on Tuesday.

This operational update comes as the aviation landscape in the Middle East faces continued disruptions due to geopolitical tensions and recent operational restrictions at major hubs, including Dubai International Airport (DXB).

Sustained Connectivity to Key Hubs

Despite the suspension of services to certain conflict-affected zones, Air India and its low-cost subsidiary, Air India Express, are prioritizing essential travel corridors. The group has confirmed that scheduled operations will proceed for two major destinations: Muscat (Oman) and Jeddah (Saudi Arabia).

• Jeddah Services: Air India will operate its scheduled return services from Delhi and Mumbai. Air India Express will bolster this with a scheduled service from Kozhikode.
• Muscat Operations: Air India Express remains the primary link to Oman, maintaining scheduled flights from several Indian cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangalore, and Tiruchirappalli.

Operational Adjustments and Dubai Restrictions

The announcement follows a tightening of landing permissions at Dubai International Airport. Due to recent security developments and airport-imposed restrictions on foreign carriers, Air India and Air India Express—along with other Indian carriers like IndiGo and SpiceJet—have temporarily suspended regular flights to Dubai.

To mitigate the impact on passengers, the airline group is operating a mix of scheduled and ad-hoc (non-scheduled) flights to other regional airports. These ad-hoc services are being deployed to Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Riyadh, subject to slot availability and regulatory approvals.

Support for Affected Passengers

Recognizing the uncertainty faced by travelers, the Air India Group has introduced flexible policies for those impacted by flight cancellations or schedule changes:

• Complimentary Rebooking: Passengers booked on suspended routes can rebook to a future date at no additional charge.
• Full Refunds: Travelers opting not to fly can apply for a full refund through the airline’s official website.
• Real-time Assistance: Impacted guests are being contacted via registered mobile numbers. Air India Express passengers can also use the AI-powered digital assistant, ‘Tia’, via WhatsApp for immediate support.

“Our teams are working tirelessly to ensure safe passage for our guests while navigating complex airspace restrictions. Connectivity to the West Asia region remains a priority, and we are exploring every opportunity to operate additional ad-hoc flights where safety permits.” — Official Statement from Air India Group

Global Operations Remain Stable

While West Asian routes are seeing tactical adjustments, Air India has reaffirmed that its long-haul network remains unaffected. Flights to North America, Europe, and Australia continue to operate on their regular schedules.