Indian, Gulf Airlines Rush to Operate Special Flights

• West Asian airspace restrictions disrupted one of the busiest corridors, leading to 500+ flight cancellations and emergency repatriation operations
• Airlines like Air India, SpiceJet, Akasa Air, and Air India Express are running extra and special flights to repatriate stranded passengers
• The situation highlights the critical role of Gulf hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Qatar in Indian aviation and international connectivity

Indian and Gulf airlines have started to run emergency repatriation flights because airspace restrictions over West Asia caused one of the busiest air corridors in the world to shut down, which resulted in thousands of travellers being stranded.

Indian Gulf airlines special flights are being operated as part of emergency flight operations to address India Gulf travel disruption, repatriate stranded passengers flights, and provide timely airline schedule updates, reflecting key developments in Middle East aviation news and India Gulf air travel.

“In view of the evolving airspace restrictions over Iran and the Middle East, more than 500 flights to the Middle East and select international destinations have been cancelled between February 28, 2026 and March 3, 2026”, stated IndiGo parent InterGlobe Aviation said in an exchange filing.

The statements confirmed that Indian and West Asian carriers cancelled over 500 flights as they needed to suspend operations and move their long-haul services to different locations. Airlines are monitoring regional changes while analyzing their revenue effects and preparing their repatriation missions.

The Gulf hub system, which includes airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, serves as a vital element for Indian aviation operations. The region generates substantial outbound labor traffic together with connecting flights that reach the US, Europe and Africa, which makes extended airspace restrictions financially critical for airlines that operate multiple flights along this route. Airlines are adjusting their flight schedules and launching new services to help passengers who have been left behind.

Also Read: Air India, Lufthansa Expand India-Europe Connectivity

Air India is adding wide-body services to Toronto, Frankfurt, and Paris, including three extra flights between Delhi and Toronto from March 5 to 11, along with additional services to Frankfurt and Paris. SpiceJet will operate eight special flights from Fujairah on March 4, with services to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi, following four special flights on March 3.

The airline announced that through the extra services it will increase flight options for passengers who travel on the specific routes which connect to multiple destinations throughout Air India’s extensive domestic network and Southeast Asian services. The airline will monitor the current situation to determine whether it needs to increase flight operations on specific routes after March 11.

Akasa Air completed a safety review, which resulted in the restoration of select flights from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai and limited services between Jeddah and Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Bengaluru, while flights to Doha, Kuwait, and Riyadh remain suspended until March 5.

Air India Express will continue scheduled flights to Muscat, adding extra services until March 7, and operate special flights from Ras Al Khaimah linking Delhi, Kochi, and Mumbai. West Asian carriers have also extended suspensions and issued passenger advisories, further affecting travel across the corridor.