Air India Operates First Special Flight from Dubai; 149 Stranded Indians Land in Delhi

NEW DELHI, March 3, 2026 – In a significant relief operation amid the escalating Middle East crisis, Air India successfully operated its first repatriation flight from Dubai to New Delhi today. The special flight, AI916D, carrying 149 stranded passengers and eight crew members, touched down at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport at 10:58 AM IST.

This operation marks the first arrival by an Indian carrier from the UAE since widespread airspace closures and regional tensions brought commercial aviation to a virtual standstill over the weekend.

A Safe Return Amidst Regional Tensions

The aircraft, a Boeing wide-body registered as VT-EDC, was deployed as part of a coordinated effort between the Indian government and UAE aviation authorities. The passengers had been stuck in Dubai following the sudden suspension of flights due to the deteriorating security situation in the West Asia region, which saw several airspaces shut down to commercial traffic.

“We are happy to welcome our guests and crew from Dubai aboard flight AI916D. This is the first flight by an Indian carrier to arrive in New Delhi today… amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East,” Air India stated in an official announcement on social media.

The airline also expressed gratitude toward the Government of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and local Dubai authorities for their logistical support in making the “homecoming” possible under extraordinary circumstances.

Crew Repatriation and Operational Challenges

Earlier on Tuesday morning, another special flight, AI918D, arrived in the national capital. This flight was dedicated to bringing home 143 cockpit and cabin crew members of both Air India and Air India Express who had been stranded in the UAE during the initial wave of flight cancellations.

The resumption of these services comes at a time when Delhi airport has seen over 80 international flight cancellations on Tuesday alone. While Air India has extended the suspension of its scheduled commercial flights to the Middle East until the end of March 3, it has resumed operations to the US, Canada, Europe, and the UK by utilizing alternative, albeit longer, flight paths.

Current Status of Middle East Flight Operations

As of March 3, 2026, the status of flight operations between India and the Gulf remains fluid:

• Air India: Scheduled commercial flights to the Gulf remain suspended until 23:59 IST today. Special relief flights are being prioritized.
• Air India Express: Has partially resumed operations to Muscat, while services to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Kuwait remain on hold.
• Other Carriers: IndiGo has announced 10 special relief flights from Jeddah, while SpiceJet is reportedly planning operations from Fujairah to assist stranded citizens.
• UAE Carriers: Emirates and Etihad have begun a “limited resumption” of services, prioritizing passengers with existing bookings.

Advisory for Travelers

Aviation authorities have urged passengers not to travel to airports unless they have a confirmed booking and have been contacted directly by their airline. Due to the rerouting of flights away from active conflict zones, travelers should expect significantly longer flying times and potential technical stops for refueling in cities like Rome or Vienna.

The Indian Ministry of External Affairs continues to monitor the situation closely, with further evacuation or relief flights expected to be scheduled based on the evolving security environment.