Two of India’s largest carriers — Air India and IndiGo — have each issued formal travel advisories for their Gulf-region operations on Wednesday, 1 April 2026. The advisories ask passengers booked on Middle East routes to check their flight status carefully, avail rebooking options where services remain suspended, and keep their contact details updated with the airlines ahead of departure.
The advisories come amid shifting travel conditions across the Middle East that have prompted both carriers to adjust their operations, operate additional non-scheduled services, and, in some cases, temporarily suspend certain routes while maintaining flights on others.
Air India and Air India Express: 30 Flights to West Asia, Including 16 to the UAE
The Air India group — comprising Air India and its low-cost arm, Air India Express — will together operate 30 flights to and from the West Asia region on 1 April 2026. These flights include both scheduled and non-scheduled services across multiple Gulf destinations.
| Country | Airport | Scheduled Operations | Ad Hoc Operations | Operating Sectors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UAE | Dubai | No | Yes | Air India – Delhi |
| Air India Express – Delhi | ||||
| Abu Dhabi | No | Yes | Air India Express – Delhi, Kochi, Mangalore, Mumbai | |
| Ras Al Khaimah | No | No | __ | |
| Sharjah | No | Yes | Air India Express – Amritsar, Kannur | |
| Al Ain | No | No | __ | |
| Oman | Muscat | Yes | No | Air India Express – Delhi, Mumbai, Kannur |
| Salalah | No | No | __ | |
| Saudi Arabia | Jeddah | Yes | No | Air India – Delhi, Mumbai |
| Air India Express – Kozhikode, Mangalore | ||||
| Riyadh | Yes | No | __ | |
| Dammam | No | No | __ | |
| Bahrain | Bahrain | No | No | __ |
| Qatar | Doha | No | No | __ |
| Kuwait | Kuwait | No | No | __ |
| Israel | Tel Aviv | No | No | __ |
Sixteen of those 30 flights are non-scheduled services operating to and from the United Arab Emirates. The airline has clarified that these flights are contingent upon the availability of slots and other prevailing conditions at departure stations at the time of operation. All requisite permissions from relevant Indian and UAE regulatory authorities are in place, the carrier confirmed.
“These flights are being operated with the requisite permissions from the relevant Indian and local regulatory authorities in the UAE.”
Across its other long-haul networks, Air India has confirmed that all flights to and from North America, Europe, Australia, and other regions continue to operate per schedule, with no disruption reported on those corridors.
Which Air India Routes Remain Temporarily Suspended? Rebooking Is Free
On routes where Air India group’s scheduled services remain temporarily suspended, the airline has offered passengers flexible options: a complimentary rebook to a future date or a full refund — whichever the passenger prefers.
Air India has directed affected guests to initiate requests through its official website.
“Guests booked to travel on any of the routes where Air India group’s scheduled services remain temporarily suspended may conveniently rebook to a future date at no additional charge or opt for a full refund.”
Air India: How to Rebook or Cancel Your Flight
- Visit the Air India website to submit a rebooking or cancellation request: airindia.com
- Contact the 24×7 customer support hotline: +91 11 6932 9333 or +91 11 6932 9999
- Air India is proactively contacting impacted passengers via the mobile numbers registered with the airline
- Passengers are urged to ensure they update their current mobile number in the airline’s system
Air India Express UAE Passengers: Additional Commercial Flights Now Available
Air India Express has introduced additional commercial flights from UAE stations to destinations across India, specifically to accommodate passengers whose original bookings have been disrupted. Crucially, these rebookings come at no extra charge.
For passengers who prefer a digital-first experience, Air India Express has activated its AI-powered assistant for rebooking support.
“Air India Express guests with active bookings can also rebook their flights through the airline’s AI-powered digital assistant Tia, available on WhatsApp at +91 63600 12345.”
Air India Express — Rebook via WhatsApp
Message Tia, the airline’s AI-powered digital assistant, directly on WhatsApp:
+91 63600 12345
Available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for rebooking assistance on UAE-origin flights.
IndiGo Travel Advisory: Check Your Flight Status Before Heading to the Airport on 1 April
IndiGo has issued a travel advisory for passengers travelling on its Middle East services on 1 April 2026. The advisory states that flight schedules may change due to evolving conditions in the region.
“With travel conditions across the Middle East changing, staying updated is important. Flight schedules may change, and customers are requested to check their latest flight status before heading to the airport.”
IndiGo has confirmed that its scheduled Middle East flights for 1 April 2026 are being operated, with ground and operations teams working to ensure a smooth travel experience for passengers despite the fluid situation.
Passengers booked on IndiGo’s Gulf routes — including services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Kuwait, Bahrain, Muscat, and Doha — are strongly advised to verify their flight’s current status through the IndiGo website or mobile application before departing for the airport.
