Air India Adds 32 Special Flights Between UAE and India to Help Stranded Travellers

For many UAE residents, travel plans to India over the past few days suddenly turned uncertain. Flights were cancelled, routes were adjusted, and airport terminals saw long queues of passengers trying to rebook journeys.

Now, Air India has stepped in with 32 additional non-scheduled flights between the UAE and India on March 9, giving stranded travellers a much-needed way to get home.

The extra services are being operated by Air India and Air India Express, connecting several UAE cities with key Indian destinations. These flights were arranged with approvals from aviation authorities and are subject to slot availability and operational conditions.

For many residents in Dubai, Sharjah and Abu Dhabi—where travel between the UAE and India is a daily reality—this announcement has brought a sense of relief.

Extra Flights From Dubai and Other UAE Airports

Dubai remains the main hub for these special operations.

Air India confirmed it will operate 10 additional non-scheduled flights to and from Dubai, including:

• Three round trips between Mumbai and Dubai
• Two round trips between Delhi and Dubai

Meanwhile, Air India Express is expanding its network across multiple UAE airports, offering passengers more departure options.

These additional services include round trips between:

• Dubai and Mumbai
• Dubai and Bengaluru
• Abu Dhabi and Bengaluru
• Abu Dhabi and Mumbai
• Sharjah and Bengaluru
• Sharjah and Mumbai

Another airport seeing increased activity is Ras Al Khaimah, where special flights will connect passengers to:

• Bengaluru
• Delhi
• Kochi
• Mumbai

The Mumbai route will operate two round trips, creating extra seat availability for travellers waiting to leave the UAE.

For many families visiting relatives or residents travelling for work commitments, these additional flights could make all the difference after days of uncertainty.

Flexible Rebooking for Affected Passengers

Passengers whose flights were cancelled earlier are also being offered more flexible options.

Air India Express has allowed travellers to rebook tickets without extra charges, even if they choose a different UAE airport than their original departure point.

This means a passenger originally booked to fly from Dubai could potentially depart from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, or Ras Al Khaimah depending on seat availability.

It’s a practical move in a country like the UAE where multiple international airports sit within a few hours’ drive of each other.

Airlines are also advising passengers to check flight status before leaving for the airport, as schedules may change depending on operational conditions.

Updating contact details on bookings is equally important so travellers receive real-time alerts about any changes.

Some Middle East Routes Still Suspended

Despite the extra UAE flights, scheduled Air India services to several Middle East cities remain temporarily suspended until March 13.

The affected routes include flights to:

• Bahrain
• Dammam
• Doha
• Kuwait
• Riyadh

Passengers booked on these routes have been given two options:

• Rebook flights for a later date without additional charges
• Request a full refund

Airlines across the region are adjusting schedules as airspace conditions evolve.

For frequent travellers in the UAE, this is a reminder of how quickly global events can influence aviation schedules across the Middle East.

Flights to Jeddah and Muscat Continue

Not all regional routes have been affected.

Air India confirmed that scheduled flights to Jeddah and Muscat are continuing to operate.

On March 9:

• Around 10 flights will operate to and from Jeddah, including services from Delhi and Mumbai.
• Air India Express will also run flights to Jeddah from Hyderabad, Bengaluru and Kozhikode.

Meanwhile, Muscat operations remain active with 14 flights, including connections from:

• Delhi
• Mumbai
• Kannur
• Thiruvananthapuram
• Tiruchirappalli

There will also be two round trips between Kochi and Muscat.

These routes remain open because airspace in those sectors continues to operate normally.

things to remember

If you’re planning to travel between the UAE and India in the coming days, a few simple steps can make the process smoother:

• Always check your flight status online before heading to the airport
• Keep your contact details updated in airline bookings
• Arrive early at the airport due to possible crowds
• Consider nearby UAE airports if your preferred route is full

With millions of Indian residents living across the UAE, flights between the two countries are among the busiest in the region. The additional services announced today are expected to reduce the pressure created by recent cancellations.

For many travellers waiting at airports across Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, these extra flights mean one thing: finally getting back on track with their journey.

Follow Social Kandura for more updates on local news and things to do in Dubai and across the UAE.

Read More

• Indian Embassies Release Emergency Helplines Across GCC for Expats
• Etihad to Resume Limited Flights from Abu Dhabi from March 6
• Emirates to Run Limited Repatriation Flights From Dubai as Regular Services Stay Suspended
• Saudi Arabia Opens Hajj 2026 Packages for Domestic Pilgrims