Iran conflict: Dubai flights diverted, airlines resume limited India services
Amidst the escalating Iran-US war, Dubai-bound flights from India were rerouted back to their origin points due to ongoing airspace restrictions. Several Indian airlines have begun operating limited relief and scheduled flights to various Middle Eastern destinations, aiming to repatriate stranded passengers. This situation has led to significant flight cancellations and disruptions across the region, impacting thousands of Indian travelers.
Key Highlights
- Dubai-bound flights returned to India due to airspace restrictions.
- Indian airlines are operating limited relief flights to the Middle East.
- Thousands of passengers are stranded due to widespread flight cancellations.
- Air India Express resumed some flights to Muscat, while other Gulf routes remain suspended.
- SpiceJet and IndiGo are operating special flights to bring back stranded Indians.
The escalating conflict between Iran and the United States has caused significant disruptions to air travel between India and the Middle East, leading to the diversion of Dubai-bound flights back to India and the cancellation of numerous services. Several Indian airlines have initiated limited operations to repatriate stranded passengers, including special relief flights and the gradual resumption of scheduled services.
On March 3, 2026, three Emirates flights departing from Delhi, Chennai, and Bengaluru, bound for Dubai, were forced to return to their origin airports shortly after takeoff due to persistent regional airspace restrictions. While one Mumbai-Dubai flight managed to complete its journey after mid-air route adjustments, the overall situation underscored the volatile nature of the airspace. Reports also indicated that several Riyadh-bound international flights from various global destinations were turned back amid security alerts and concerns over drone-related threats in the region.
In response to the crisis, Indian carriers have been actively organizing relief measures. IndiGo announced plans to operate ten special relief flights from Jeddah to India on March 3, 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and prevailing airspace conditions. Four of these flights have secured clearance and will operate from Jeddah to Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad. These services are primarily intended for passengers who had previously booked IndiGo flights but were unable to travel due to the escalating hostilities. IndiGo is coordinating with the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to facilitate passenger movement.
SpiceJet has also stepped in to assist stranded Indian nationals in the UAE. The airline announced the operation of four special flights from Fujairah to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi on March 3, with two of these services dedicated to Mumbai. SpiceJet plans to resume its regular scheduled flights between Fujairah and Delhi, and Fujairah and Mumbai from March 4. The airline's Chairman and Managing Director, Ajay Singh, emphasized that assisting Indian citizens during the crisis is the top priority.
Air India Express has resumed flight operations to and from Muscat, Oman, starting March 3, 2026, with scheduled services to Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai, and Tiruchirappalli. However, services to Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE remain suspended until the end of March 3. Air India itself has extended the temporary suspension of all its flights to and from the Middle East until March 3, 2026, due to ongoing airspace closures.
Akasa Air has suspended flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Riyadh until March 4, 2026, while continuing to monitor the evolving situation. The airline has advised passengers to check their flight status and contact customer care for assistance.
The widespread disruption has led to significant flight cancellations, with over 250 international flights cancelled at Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Chennai airports on March 3 alone. Indian airlines have cancelled a total of 1,117 international flights over the preceding three days due to the Middle East crisis. Passengers have been advised to check their flight status with airlines before heading to the airport and to contact customer care centers for assistance. The safety and well-being of passengers and crew remain the highest priority for all airlines involved.
The news category is primarily Politics and Travel, with implications for National and International affairs. The events are specific to multiple countries including India, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Iran, US, Israel, and other Middle Eastern nations, thus making it a Global event. The publication date of the India Today article could not be precisely determined from the search results, but related articles were published on March 3, 2026. The story is currently trending due to the ongoing geopolitical crisis and its direct impact on travel and expatriate communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why were Dubai-bound flights returning to India?
Dubai-bound flights were returning to India due to the escalating Iran-US conflict, which led to widespread airspace closures and restrictions in the Middle East, forcing diversions and cancellations.
Which Indian airlines are operating special flights due to the crisis?
Airlines like IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Air India Express are operating special relief flights and limited scheduled services to repatriate stranded passengers from the Middle East.
What is the current status of air travel between India and the Middle East?
Air travel between India and the Middle East is experiencing significant disruptions, with partial resumptions of limited services. Many routes remain suspended, and passengers are advised to check flight statuses regularly.
How many flights have been cancelled due to the conflict?
Since the Middle East crisis escalated, Indian airlines have cancelled over 1,117 international flights in the past three days, with significant numbers of cancellations reported daily at major Indian airports.