Aviation – Indian Airlines Resume Dubai Flights After Temporary Halt
Aviation – Indian carriers are preparing to restart services to Dubai following a brief suspension that disrupted travel over the past three days. The reopening of Dubai Airport operations from 4 pm local time on Wednesday has allowed airlines to cautiously resume limited services on the busy international route.
Gradual Return of Dubai Flight Services
With the airport reopening, airlines have begun restoring connectivity, although schedules remain partially adjusted. IndiGo confirmed that it will operate two flights between Mumbai and Dubai as part of its initial restart plan.
However, full-scale operations are yet to resume. Air India and Air India Express have opted for a more flexible approach, announcing that they will not immediately reinstate their regular schedules to Dubai. Instead, both carriers will operate special, non-regular flights depending on operational feasibility and slot availability.
Background of Temporary Suspension
The disruption followed an unusual decision by authorities to restrict foreign airlines from landing at Dubai Airport after security concerns emerged near the airport area on March 16. This led to a sudden halt in international flight movements, affecting thousands of passengers and airline schedules.
The three-day suspension forced airlines to reassess their operations and adjust routes, resulting in delays and cancellations across multiple sectors.
Continued Operations to Saudi Arabia and Oman
While services to Dubai were paused, Indian airlines maintained connectivity with other key destinations in the region. Both Air India and Air India Express continued their scheduled flights to Jeddah and Muscat without interruption.
On March 19, a total of 16 flights are being operated between India and Jeddah. Air India is handling one return flight each from Delhi and Mumbai, while Air India Express is operating services from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Kozhikode.
Flights to Muscat are also continuing as planned, with Air India Express running six scheduled services connecting cities such as Delhi, Kozhikode, and Mumbai.
Additional Services to Riyadh
Air India has also maintained its operations to Riyadh, with two scheduled flights operating to and from Delhi. These services are part of the airline’s effort to ensure continuity on high-demand routes in the Gulf region despite disruptions elsewhere.
Special Flights to Support Passenger Movement
To manage the backlog and accommodate stranded passengers, Air India and Air India Express have jointly planned a significant number of additional flights. The two airlines are expected to operate around 30 non-scheduled services connecting India with destinations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
These extra flights will depend on several operational factors, including slot availability and ground conditions at departure airports. Airlines have indicated that they are closely monitoring the situation and will adjust their schedules accordingly.
Cautious Approach Amid Ongoing Monitoring
Airlines are taking a measured approach as operations resume, prioritizing passenger safety and coordination with airport authorities. Travelers have been advised to check flight status regularly, as schedules may continue to change in response to evolving conditions.
The gradual reopening marks a step toward normalcy for one of the busiest international travel corridors for Indian passengers, though full restoration of services may take some time.