Gurugram, March 18, 2026: Air India and Air India Express will jointly operate 48 flights (scheduled and non-scheduled) between India and the West Asia region on March 19, 2026, ensuring continued connectivity amid temporary route adjustments.
Scheduled Flights to Jeddah, Muscat & Riyadh Continue
The airlines confirmed that regular scheduled operations will continue to key destinations including:
- Jeddah (Saudi Arabia):
- Total 16 flights between India and Jeddah
- Air India: Delhi & Mumbai (return services)
- Air India Express: Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kozhikode
- Muscat (Oman):
- 6 scheduled flights
- Routes from Delhi, Kozhikode, and Mumbai
- Riyadh (Saudi Arabia):
- Air India: 2 flights from Delhi
- Air India Express: Kozhikode route
These operations ensure connectivity for passengers traveling between India and key Gulf destinations.
30 Additional Non-Scheduled Flights to UAE & Saudi Arabia
To meet rising demand, both airlines will operate 30 additional (ad hoc) flights to:
- United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah)
- Saudi Arabia
These flights are subject to slot availability and regulatory approvals but aim to ease passenger movement during disruptions.
Temporary Suspension of Some West Asia Routes
Scheduled services remain temporarily suspended to several destinations, including:
- Doha (Qatar)
- Kuwait
- Bahrain
- Tel Aviv (Israel)
- Dammam (Saudi Arabia)
However, airlines are compensating through additional charter and ad hoc services.
🇦🇪 UAE Operations Overview
- Dubai & Abu Dhabi: Only ad hoc flights operating
- Ras Al Khaimah & Sharjah: Limited non-scheduled services
- Al Ain: No operations
Air India Express is leading most UAE sector operations from multiple Indian cities including Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, and Delhi.
🌐 Global Flights Continue Unaffected
Air India confirmed that all long-haul international flights to:
- North America
- Europe
- Australia
are operating as per schedule, unaffected by the current adjustments in West Asia routes.
🎫 Rebooking & Refund Options for Passengers
Passengers affected by cancellations or suspensions can:
- ✅ Rebook flights for a later date at no extra cost
- ✅ Opt for a full refund
Air India passengers can visit the official website or contact the 24/7 helpline.
Air India Express passengers can:
- Rebook via additional UAE flights
- Use AI chatbot Tia (WhatsApp: +91 63600 12345)
📲 Airlines Proactively Contacting Passengers
Both airlines are actively reaching out to passengers via registered mobile numbers with rebooking options. Travelers are advised to ensure their contact details are updated.
