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UAE-India travel: Airlines aim to increase repatriation flights
Indian airlines are increasing flights to the West to meet high demand, as UAE carriers’ operations remain suspended amid the ongoing regional conflict
- PUBLISHED: Wed 4 Mar 2026, 6:00 PM
The Indian carriers aim to increase repatriation flights from the UAE to meet high demand.
The South Asian airline is adding additional flights to Europe and the Americas due to high demand amid the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East.
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IndiGo said the flights announced earlier to Athens, Muscat, Jeddah, and Madinah, along with select repatriation flights to the UAE, have now commenced operations as the airline gradually restores connectivity on the impacted routes.
“Provided we have the approvals (from the UAE authorities), we do strive to increase the frequency of repatriation flights to the UAE, from tomorrow to further support customers awaiting travel,” the airline said.
“Over the past few days, many of our customers have been navigating uncertainty while waiting to return home or reach places that matter most to them. During this time, we remain firmly by your side, doing everything possible to support your journeys with care, responsibility, and constant attention to safety,” said the budget carrier.
Air India Express, also a low-cost carrier, said it is operating special flights from Ras Al Khaimah to three Indian cities until March 7.
“We are also operating special flights from Ras Al Khaimah connecting Delhi, Kochi, and Mumbai until March 7, 2026. Guests are advised to check their flight status and ensure their contact details are updated in their PNR,” it said.
Customers are advised to continue monitoring their flight status and stay attentive to updates shared through their registered contact details. They’re told to wait for confirmation from the airlines before proceeding to the airport.
On Tuesday, the UAE opened safe air corridors with GCC countries, enabling it to operate up to 48 flights per hour in the first phase as part of a gradual restoration of air traffic following recent regional developments. More than 80 additional flights are scheduled in the next phase.
Increasing direct flights to Europe, US
The Indian carriers are adding more flights to Europe and the Americas due to high demand amid the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East.
Since the UAE and Gulf carriers have suspended operations for safety reasons due to the regional war, Indian nationals and tourists have been left with fewer options to travel to European and American cities.
Indian nationals and visitors greatly benefit from the Dubai-based Emirates and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Airways’ extensive connectivity network. Both the UAE carriers connect travellers to hundreds of cities across the globe.
“In response to high demand amid the ongoing situation in West Asia, Air India is deploying additional capacity to Toronto, Frankfurt, and Paris (Charles de Gaulle). From March 5 to 11, we’re operating three additional flights between Delhi and Toronto. From March 7 to 10, we’ve added three flights between Delhi and Frankfurt, and one flight between Delhi and Paris (Charles de Gaulle),” said Air India
“These additional services will provide more flight options to travellers on these select routes with convenient connections beyond Delhi to destinations across Air India’s vast domestic India and Southeast Asia networks. We continue to closely assess the situation and will add flights on these select routes beyond March 11,” it added.
