New Delhi: Air services have been badly hit due to the Israel-US war against Iran that continues to rage. Even though the tensions are yet to subside, some airlines have started relief flights.
SpiceJet to operate special flights
SpiceJet said that it is set to operate special flights to bring back Indians stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Special services connecting Fujairah with New Delhi, Mumbai (two flights), and Kochi will begin on March 3 and continue over the following days.
From Wednesday (March 4), SpiceJet will resume its regular (scheduled) flights between Fujairah and Delhi, and Fujairah and Mumbai. SpiceJet Chairman and Managing Director, Ajay Singh, has said that in these challenging times, the airlines highest priority is to help Indian citizens who are going through uncertainty and want to come back home. “We are grateful to the authorities concerned whose coordination has made these special flights possible. Wherever needed, SpiceJet stands fully prepared to operate additional services to support our fellow citizens.”
Air India Express resumes operations
Air India Express is also resuming flight operations to and from Muscat starting March 3, with scheduled services to Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai and Tiruchirappally. The first Air India Express flight from Muscat will operate to Tiruchirappally, departing at 10:25 hours local time.
Meanwhile, flights to and from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE will remain suspended until 23:59 hrs IST (18:29 hrs UTC) on March 3. “Guests are advised to check their flight status and ensure their contact details are updated in their PNR for the latest notifications,” the airlines said.
The statement added that many airspaces in the Middle East are closed due to the war involving the US, Israel and Iran, which has impacted flight operations.
IndiGo to operate special relief services
IndiGo is also expected to operate their flights and special relief services on Tuesday. The airline will be operating ten special relief flights from Jeddah to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi and Ahmedabad on March 3.
What the Civil Aviation Ministry said
The civil aviation ministry said that it was keeping a close watch on the airspace situation in parts of the Middle East and its impact on international flight operations. “Indian carriers have undertaken calibrated adjustments to their schedules, with long-haul and ultra long-haul operations being progressively resumed through alternative routings that avoid restricted airspace,” an official press release said.
Etihad, Flydubai, Emirates start limited flights
Reports said that air travel across the UAE was taking off again. Dubai and Abu Dhabi are preparing to restart limited flight operations. On Monday night, a plane from Abu Dhabi landed in New Delhi, carrying passengers who were stuck in the UAE.
Etihad plane EY216 landed in Abu Dhabi at 3:42 pm and landed in New Delhi at 8:31 PM, according to the flight tracking website Flightradar24.
A report said that four Etihad flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi landed in different Indian cities on Monday night.
According to Dubai government’s media office, Flydubai would begin operating limited flights. “Flydubai will operate a limited number of flights on the evening of 02 March 2026. Customers are advised to update their contact details via Manage Your Booking and check Flight status at http://flydubai.com before travelling to the airport,” the office said on X.
Emirates airline also said it would restart some flights. It will be operating services between Dubai and five cities, including Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad, on March 3.
In a statement, it said: “We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority, and those who have been rebooked to travel on these limited flights will be contacted directly by Emirates. Please do not go to the airport unless you have been notified.”