Indian Airlines Gear Up 50+ Special Flights Amid US-Israel-Iran War
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, triggered by a joint US-Israeli strike on Iran on February 28, 2026, continues to severely impact aviation across the region, forcing airlines to navigate volatile airspace, intermittent closures, and security threats.
Major Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways suspended operations initially but have begun gradually resuming limited services. Dubai International Airport, a key global hub, experienced a temporary shutdown and started partial recovery from March 7, 2026, though full normalcy remains distant.
Indian airlines—including Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet—faced heavy early disruptions but shifted focus to repatriation. On March 8, 2026 (Sunday), these carriers cancelled 279 international flights while successfully operating 49 repatriation flights, bringing thousands of passengers back to India. The previous day, March 7, saw 51 inbound flights from the region carrying 8,175 passengers, according to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA).
New complications arose on March 9, 2026, when Muscat International Airport in Oman restricted private jet operations to only approved scheduled commercial and government flights amid renewed airspace constraints, as reported by Reuters citing an internal communication to charter operators.
For Monday, March 10, 2026, Indian carriers anticipate operating around 50 special flights, though all arrangements remain subject to the rapidly changing security situation. Air India and Air India Express plan 24 scheduled services to Jeddah and Muscat, plus 32 ad-hoc flights from various UAE locations, depending on slot availability, regulatory approvals, and operational safety. Air India has also committed to running 78 additional flights across nine routes between March 10 and 18 to address passenger backlogs stemming from the West Asia crisis.
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SpiceJet expects to operate at least three flights from Dubai and Fujairah to India on Monday.
Recent reports indicate fresh regional incidents, including explosions in Doha, intercepted missiles over Saudi Arabia, and air defence activity in Kuwait, heightening uncertainty.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has urged passengers to check directly with airlines for real-time updates and provided helpline numbers (011-24604283 and 011-24632987) through its Passenger Assistance Control Room. Travellers are advised to monitor official airline communications closely, as further cancellations or changes could occur without prior notice due to the persistent tensions.