As air travel grows significantly between India and Gulf air india Group consisting of Air India and Air India Express announces 62 additional flights connecting India and United Arab Emirates Saudi Arabia. The move comes as regional tensions in West Asia disrupt air timetables, leaving thousands of passengers scrambling to find alternative travel options.The additional flights are intended to restore connectivity and help stranded travelers return home or reach destinations in the Gulf region. The Gulf region is home to millions of Indian expatriates and remains one of the busiest international corridors for Indian airlines.
Why airlines are adding extra flights Iran VS US-Israel War
The decision to provide additional services comes amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the region during the Iran-US-Israel war, which resulted in widespread interference in Middle Eastern airspace. Flight cancellations, diversions and flight schedule restrictions have affected several airlines operating in South Asia and the Gulf region. For Indian airlines, the situation is particularly complex.Many airlines are already dealing with longer routes and higher costs due to the continued ban on the use of Pakistani airspace, and the latest crisis has added another layer of operational challenges. Against this backdrop, Air India Group has decided to increase services aimed at maintaining travel connectivity between India and key destinations in the Gulf while providing assistance to passengers affected by flight cancellations or delays.
62 additional flights, 80 total: What we know about Iran and the US-Israel war
According to the airline announcement, 62 additional non-scheduled flights will be added between India and key destinations in the Gulf region. The flights are in addition to existing scheduled services and are subject to slot availability and regulatory approvals from authorities in both countries.
Air India adds 62 flights to UAE, Saudi Arabia due to regional airspace disruption
Together with scheduled flights, the airline group plans to operate around 80 daily flights to West Asia, connecting major Indian cities and Gulf hubs. These routes primarily connect Indian cities to airports in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, the two most important travel markets for Indian airlines.In a major push to stabilize travel between India and the Gulf region, the Air India Group, which includes Air India Express, has increased its operations to about 80 flights in a single day, connecting India to key destinations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The service surge includes the addition of dozens of non-scheduled flights, aimed at serving passengers affected by recent regional disruptions and flight schedule fluctuations in West Asia.By significantly increasing capacity on key routes connecting cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Jeddah and Riyadh to Indian hubs such as Delhi and Mumbai, the airline group has effectively created an aviation lifeline for travelers caught in the uncertainty. The enhanced flights will not only help clear the backlog of stranded passengers but also underline the strategic importance of the India-Gulf air corridor, one of the busiest and most economically dynamic international travel networks for Indian airlines.
Serving major Gulf destinations during Iran-U.S.-Israel war
The expanded schedule focuses on some of the busiest routes between India and the Gulf, including:
- Dubai
- abu dhabi
- Sharjah
Ras al Khaimah - Jeddah
- Riyadh
These services are operated from major hubs in India such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi and Kozhikode. Some additional return flights include flights to Riyadh from Mumbai and Kozhikode, also reflecting travel demand between India and Saudi Arabia. In the UAE, the additional capacity covers multiple emirates, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah, ensuring travelers across the country have the option to return to India or continue their journey.The main goal of these additional flights is to assist passengers whose travel plans have been disrupted by flight cancellations and airspace restrictions. Thousands of travelers were stranded in the Gulf due to sudden changes in flight operations in early March. The airline has since been coordinating with aviation authorities to gradually restore connectivity and accommodate affected passengers.Air India is also proactively reaching out to passengers and offering free rebooking or refund options to those affected by flight disruptions. Passengers are advised to check flight status updates regularly as schedules may continue to change based on the evolving geopolitical situation.The increase in flights highlights the strategic importance of the India-Gulf air corridor, one of the busiest in the world. Millions of Indian expatriates live and work in the UAE and Saudi Arabia, creating continued demand for passenger flights throughout the year. Even minor disruptions can have knock-on effects throughout the travel industry because:
- The Gulf region is an important transit hub for international flights.
- A large migrant workforce regularly travels between India and the region.
- Religious travel to Saudi Arabia, including Umrah pilgrims, significantly increases seasonal demand.
When tensions escalate in the region, airlines must quickly adjust flight schedules, reroute aircraft and coordinate with multiple airspace authorities to ensure safe operations. Air India’s move is part of a wider effort across the aviation industry to restore connectivity after weeks of disruption. Several airlines operating in the Gulf, including Emirates, Etihad Airways, flydubai and Air Arabia, have also begun gradually resuming or expanding services, although many are still operating at reduced frequencies.
Can Air India add 62 flights to ease travel chaos amid Middle East tensions?
Meanwhile, other Indian airlines have taken a different approach. For example, some airlines have canceled flights due to safety advisories or aircraft restrictions related to regional airspace conditions. The patchwork schedule reflects the region’s unstable aviation environment.
Rising costs amid war between Iran and US-Israel add to challenges for airlines
Airlines are not only facing operational challenges but also rising costs. Soaring fuel prices due to geopolitical tensions in the Gulf have prompted Air India to increase fuel surcharges on domestic and international flights in a phased manner starting March 2026. Airspace closures lead to longer routes, which also increase fuel consumption and flight times, further increasing airline expenses.For passengers planning to fly between India and the Gulf in the coming days, aviation experts advise:
- Check flight status before heading to the airport.
- Allow extra travel time as schedules may change suddenly.
- Update your contact details with your airline to receive real-time notifications.
- Consider flexible booking options whenever possible.
Authorities and airlines are continuing to monitor the situation closely and have said they will adjust operations if the situation changes. The addition of 62 flights highlights the importance of the India-Gulf air corridor, even in times of geopolitical uncertainty. By rapidly expanding capacity, the Air India Group is trying to stabilize travel routes and ensure passengers can continue to move between the two regions.For thousands of travelers, including migrant workers, tourists and business travelers, longer flight times could mean the difference between being stranded abroad and eventually returning home. As the situation in West Asia evolves, airlines are expected to continue to adjust their operations to balance safety, demand and connectivity in one of the world’s most dynamic aviation markets.
