In response to ongoing travel disruptions across the Middle East, Air India and Air India Express have announced the operation of 80 flights on March 14 to assist passengers stranded due to the regional situation.
The airlines confirmed that the total includes 18 scheduled flights and 62 additional non-scheduled flights, aimed at strengthening connectivity between Gulf countries and major Indian cities.
Additional Flights to Support Stranded Travellers
According to the airline group, the additional services will operate mainly between United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and several Indian destinations, subject to slot availability and operational conditions at departure airports.
The special flights will connect cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah with Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, and Kozhikode.
Scheduled Operations Continue
Despite the disruptions, some regular services remain operational. Air India continues scheduled flights between Jeddah and Indian destinations including Delhi, Mumbai, Kozhikode and Mangaluru.
Meanwhile, Air India Express is operating scheduled flights between Muscat and cities such as Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode and Mumbai.
Flexible Rebooking and Refund Options
The airline group has also offered flexible options to passengers whose travel plans have been affected. Travellers booked on routes where services remain suspended can rebook their tickets for a future date at no extra cost or opt for a full refund.
Passengers can manage their bookings through the airline’s official website or contact the customer helpline. Additionally, Air India Express’ AI-powered digital assistant “Tia” on WhatsApp is available to assist with rebooking requests.
While disruptions continue in parts of the Middle East, Air India confirmed that flights to North America, Europe, Australia and other international destinations are operating as scheduled, ensuring minimal impact on global connectivity.