Amid escalating tensions and conflict in West Asia, major Indian airlines including IndiGo and Air India have issued advisories and significantly altered their flight operations to the United Arab Emirates, particularly routes connecting Indian cities with Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Several services between 15 and 17 March were suspended or curtailed due to operational restrictions, safety concerns and evolving regional conditions.
IndiGo announced that some flights to Dubai have been affected and urged passengers to check updated schedules, while Air India and its subsidiary Air India Express cancelled multiple flights and reduced frequencies following directions from UAE airport authorities. Airlines have offered affected travellers the option of free rescheduling or full refunds and shared helpline support.
The developments come amid broader disruptions in global aviation triggered by the ongoing West Asia crisis, which has also pushed aviation fuel prices higher and prompted airlines to introduce fuel surcharges to offset rising operational costs.
Airlines Announce Flight Suspensions, Cuts
In an official advisory shared on social media, IndiGo said that “due to the evolving situation in the Middle East, flight operations in Dubai have been further restricted, leading to changes in flight schedules.” As a result, several flights scheduled between 15 and 17 March were affected, with some services temporarily suspended.
The airline urged passengers to monitor updates before travelling and shared a helpline number (+91 124 6173838) to assist customers facing disruptions. IndiGo reiterated that it remains committed to supporting travellers while prioritising the safety of passengers, crew and aircraft.
Meanwhile, Air India confirmed that it had significantly reduced operations on key India-UAE routes after receiving directions from airport authorities in the UAE. On 15 March, the airline operated only one Delhi–Dubai return flight while cancelling four of the five scheduled services on the route.
Air India Express also ran just one Delhi–Dubai return flight, cancelling five of its six scheduled Dubai flights that day. In addition, all five Air India Express services scheduled to operate between India and Abu Dhabi were cancelled for the day.
Despite the widespread cancellations, the airline said it would maintain limited connectivity from Sharjah, operating flights to Indian cities such as Delhi, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. The carrier also planned to run services between Ras Al Khaimah and cities like Kozhikode and Kochi, subject to slot availability and prevailing operational conditions.
Passengers affected by cancellations were offered the option to reschedule their travel without additional charges or request a full refund, with airlines expressing regret for the inconvenience caused and assuring travellers that efforts are being made to assist stranded passengers.
West Asia Conflict Disrupts Aviation Operations
The flight disruptions come amid wider instability in West Asia, which has impacted aviation operations across the region. Ongoing geopolitical tensions and military activity have forced airlines around the world to reassess routes, suspend services or reroute flights to avoid potentially unsafe airspace. Several international carriers have reported delays, cancellations and longer travel times as aircraft take alternative routes to bypass restricted zones.
Authorities in India and the UAE have been closely monitoring the situation as airlines attempt to maintain essential connectivity while ensuring passenger safety. Indian carriers, including Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo and others, have continued adjusting their schedules depending on ground conditions, with some flights gradually resuming while others remain restricted. In recent days, airlines have operated dozens of flights between India and West Asia, including special or additional services to help stranded travellers return home when conditions permit.
The crisis has also had a ripple effect on airline economics. Aviation turbine fuel (ATF), one of the largest operating costs for airlines, has surged due to global oil price volatility linked to the conflict. In response, several carriers including IndiGo, Air India and Akasa Air have introduced temporary fuel surcharges on both domestic and international routes to manage rising costs. Industry experts note that such surcharges are often implemented during periods of sharp fuel price increases and may remain in place until market conditions stabilise.
At the same time, aviation regulators are also taking steps to address operational challenges created by the conflict. India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has reportedly eased certain pilot duty norms for long-haul flights as airlines take longer routes to avoid restricted airspace, ensuring that operations can continue safely despite extended flight durations.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Air connectivity between India and the UAE is far more than just a travel corridor it is a lifeline for millions of migrant workers, students, families and businesses who rely on these routes every day. When geopolitical conflicts disrupt flights, the impact is felt not just in airports but in homes and workplaces across both regions.
While airlines must prioritise safety and operational feasibility during such crises, timely communication, passenger support and coordinated action between governments and aviation authorities can help minimise uncertainty for travellers.
