Air India and Air India Express will operate 78 flights between India and key Gulf destinations on March 13 to support travellers amid regional disruptions. The services will connect major Indian cities with the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman, ensuring continued travel connectivity.
Special flights aim to maintain connectivity between India and the Gulf as airlines respond to regional travel disruptions.
India’s national carrier group, including Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express, has announced that it will operate a total of 78 scheduled and special flights connecting India with destinations in the Gulf and wider West Asia on March 13. The move is intended to support travellers and maintain vital connectivity as airlines adjust operations amid disruptions affecting parts of the Middle East.
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The additional flights will connect major Indian cities with key destinations across the Gulf region, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia and Oman. Aviation authorities and airlines have been revising schedules and introducing extra services to respond to travel disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions and changing airspace conditions in West Asia.
According to the airline group, the 78 flights planned for March 13 include both regular services and additional non-scheduled flights designed to help passengers reach their destinations or return home. These services will operate between Indian hubs and major Gulf cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE. Additional routes will also link India with cities including Jeddah, Riyadh and Muscat.
Air India said the expanded operations are part of a broader effort to maintain reliable travel links between India and West Asia despite operational challenges affecting aviation networks in the region. Airlines have been closely monitoring the evolving situation and making adjustments to schedules to ensure passenger movement while complying with safety regulations and airspace restrictions.
The additional flights are expected to benefit thousands of travellers, particularly expatriates and business passengers who frequently travel between India and Gulf countries. The UAE remains one of the busiest international travel corridors for Indian carriers because of the large Indian expatriate population living and working there. Maintaining regular connectivity is therefore considered essential for both economic and personal travel needs.
Both Air India and Air India Express have been working closely with aviation authorities and airport operators to secure flight slots and obtain the necessary approvals for the additional services. The airlines noted that some of the flights may operate subject to slot availability and regulatory clearances at the respective airports.
The coordination with authorities is aimed at ensuring smooth operations while maintaining safety and efficiency in one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors.
In addition to the services planned for March 13, the airline group has been gradually restoring operations in phases as the aviation sector adapts to the changing situation in the region. In recent days, the two carriers have already operated dozens of flights connecting India with West Asian destinations to ensure travellers can continue their journeys despite disruptions.
Passengers whose travel plans were affected by temporarily suspended routes have been offered options such as free rebooking or full refunds through the airlines’ official channels. Travellers have also been advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as schedules may change depending on operational conditions.
To further assist passengers, the airline group has expanded its customer support services and digital tools for managing bookings. Travellers can modify reservations, request refunds or receive updates through the airlines’ official websites, helplines and automated service platforms.
These services are designed to help passengers manage their travel plans more easily during a period of changing flight schedules and regional travel uncertainties.
Meanwhile, other airlines operating in the region have also begun restoring selected services as air travel gradually stabilises. Carriers across India and the Middle East continue to evaluate route availability and safety considerations while maintaining essential connectivity for passengers.
Industry analysts say the deployment of additional flights highlights the aviation sector’s effort to respond quickly to disruptions while meeting strong travel demand between India and the Gulf. With millions of passengers travelling between the two regions every year, airlines face constant pressure to maintain reliable services even during periods of geopolitical uncertainty.
For travellers planning journeys between India and West Asia, authorities advise keeping track of official airline announcements and airport updates. While schedules may be adjusted depending on operational developments, airlines are working to ensure passengers continue to have travel options across one of the busiest international travel corridors.
Source: GULF NEWS
Image source: Zee Business
