Before the recent developments, Air India operated regular flights to Israel and the UAE, providing essential connectivity for travelers. However, due to the ongoing war in West Asia, Air India suspended all flights to Israel until May 31, 2026, significantly affecting the travel plans of many passengers.

On April 6, 2026, Air India and Air India Express operated a total of 30 flights to and from the West Asia region. Among these, 10 were non-scheduled flights specifically to and from the United Arab Emirates, marking a shift in their operational strategy to accommodate travelers affected by the suspension of scheduled services.

The immediate effect of this change has been felt by passengers who were previously booked on suspended routes. Air India has announced that these travelers can rebook for a later date without incurring additional charges or request a full refund. This flexibility aims to alleviate the challenges faced by approximately 40,000 Indians in Israel who are now without direct flight options.

In addition to the non-scheduled flights, Air India continues to operate long-haul flights to North America, Europe, and Australia as scheduled, ensuring that international travel remains accessible for many. Meanwhile, Air India Express passengers are also being offered rebooking options on alternative services from any UAE station to destinations in India.

Air India is actively reaching out to affected passengers using registered mobile numbers to provide updates and rebooking options. This proactive approach is crucial in maintaining customer relations during such turbulent times.

Moreover, the airline is operating these non-scheduled flights with the necessary approvals from both Indian and UAE regulatory authorities, ensuring compliance with all travel regulations. As stated by the airline, “These flights are being operated with the requisite permissions from the relevant Indian and local regulatory authorities in the UAE.”

Scheduled operations at UAE airports, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah, remain suspended, further complicating the travel landscape. The evolving operational constraints have led to a revised schedule for air travel between India and key West Asian hubs.

To assist Indians in Israel, Air India has established a 24×7 emergency helpline, and the Indian Embassy in Tel Aviv has launched a large-scale registration drive for Indians in the region.

As the situation continues to develop, passengers are encouraged to stay informed about their travel options and any changes to flight schedules. Details remain unconfirmed regarding the long-term implications of these operational adjustments.

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On April 6, 2026, Aloke Singh officially took on the role of Chief Strategy Officer at IndiGo, one of India’s leading airlines. His appointment comes at a crucial time for the airline, which has been navigating significant operational challenges in recent months. Singh’s extensive experience in the aviation sector, spanning over three decades, positions him as a key figure in steering IndiGo towards its future goals.

Prior to joining IndiGo, Singh served as the Managing Director and CEO of Air India Express, where he played a pivotal role in overseeing the merger of AirAsia India into the airline. His leadership experience also includes senior roles at Air India and Oman Air, which has equipped him with a wealth of knowledge in both operational and strategic aspects of the aviation industry.

Singh’s appointment follows the departure of IndiGo’s previous CEO, Pieter Elbers, who stepped down on March 10, 2026. This transition comes at a time when IndiGo is recovering from its worst operational disruption in December 2025, which saw the cancellation of 2,507 flights and the delay of 1,852 others, affecting approximately 300,000 passengers. The disruption led to a 10 percent cut in IndiGo’s winter schedule, imposed by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), along with penalties amounting to ₹22 crore.

As Chief Strategy Officer, Singh will lead long-term strategic planning and enterprise-wide transformation initiatives at IndiGo. He will report directly to Managing Director Rahul Bhatia until a new CEO is appointed. Bhatia expressed confidence in Singh’s capabilities, stating, “Aloke brings an exceptional blend of strategic vision and operational depth,” highlighting the importance of Singh’s role in the airline’s recovery and growth.

Singh himself expressed enthusiasm about his new position, stating, “I am delighted to join IndiGo at such a pivotal moment for the airline.” He aims to contribute to IndiGo’s next phase as it expands its global ambitions, indicating a focus on international growth and market presence.

The current state of IndiGo reflects a company in transition, with Singh’s leadership expected to play a vital role in addressing the operational challenges faced in the past year. His strategic vision is anticipated to guide the airline through recovery and towards a more stable operational future.

The sequence of events surrounding Singh’s appointment is significant for IndiGo as it seeks to navigate the complexities of the airline industry and enhance its competitive edge. With Singh at the helm of strategy, stakeholders will be watching closely to see how his leadership influences the airline’s trajectory in the coming months.

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Air India and Air India Express have cancelled 14 flights today amid the ongoing situation in West Asia, significantly impacting travel plans for many passengers.

The cancellations are a direct response to operational restrictions imposed by the UAE Airport Authorities. Flights that were planned from Sharjah to major Indian cities including Delhi, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram have been affected.

Additionally, two flights were scheduled to operate from Ras Al Khaimah to Kozhikode and Kochi, but these have also been curtailed. As a result, passengers are advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

In light of the cancellations, Air India Express has offered affected guests the option to rebook their flights for a future date at no additional charge or to opt for a full refund.

Furthermore, Indigo has also reported that their flight operations have been restricted in Dubai, leading to changes in their flight schedules. This has compounded the travel disruptions in the region.

Passengers travelling to or from Dubai are particularly urged to stay informed about their flight statuses, as the situation remains fluid.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the duration of these operational restrictions and whether further cancellations may occur in the coming days.

The ongoing developments in West Asia continue to affect air travel, with airlines closely monitoring the situation and adjusting their operations accordingly.

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Air India and Air India Express have cancelled 14 flights today due to the ongoing situation in West Asia, significantly impacting travelers in the region.

These cancellations are a direct response to operational restrictions imposed by the UAE Airport Authorities. The affected flights were primarily scheduled from Sharjah to major cities in India, including Delhi, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram.

In addition to the cancellations, two flights are still set to operate from Ras Al Khaimah to Kozhikode and Kochi, although overall ad-hoc operations in the region have been curtailed.

Passengers whose flights have been cancelled or temporarily suspended are being offered the option to rebook to a future date at no additional charge, or they can choose to receive a full refund.

Indigo has also announced that their flight operations have been restricted in Dubai, leading to changes in their flight schedules. This further complicates travel plans for many passengers in the area.

Travelers are strongly advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport, especially those flying to or from Dubai, to avoid any inconvenience.

As the situation continues to evolve, Air India and Air India Express are closely monitoring developments and adjusting their operations accordingly.

Details remain unconfirmed regarding the duration of these operational restrictions and any potential further cancellations.

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Air India and Air India Express are resuming operations with a significant increase in flights to West Asia, reflecting a growing demand for travel between India and the region. The airlines will operate a total of 58 flights connecting India with key destinations in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman.

Starting March 12, 2026, IndiGo will also resume flights to nine destinations in the Middle East, further enhancing travel options for passengers. This move comes as travel between the UAE and India picks up, indicating a recovery in the aviation sector.

Specific Flight Operations

Air India is currently operating one round-trip flight from Delhi to Jeddah and two round-trip flights from Mumbai to Jeddah. Additionally, Air India Express has scheduled one round-trip from Bengaluru and one from Kozhikode to Jeddah.

For flights to Muscat, Air India is operating one round-trip from Delhi and one from Mumbai, as well as two round-trips from Kozhikode. Both airlines are also providing a non-scheduled round-trip service to Riyadh from Mumbai and Kozhikode.

Extra Flights Scheduled

To accommodate the anticipated passenger volume, Air India and Air India Express have scheduled 78 extra flights between March 10 and March 18, 2026, focusing on long-haul routes. Passengers are advised to check flight status regularly as schedules may change at short notice.

Air India Express has announced that guests traveling to or from the Gulf region to India are eligible for a free date change or cancellation for travel scheduled until March 31, 2026. This flexibility is aimed at providing travelers with peace of mind amid the evolving travel landscape.

As the situation develops, further updates regarding flight schedules and operations are expected. Details remain unconfirmed.

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On March 11, 2026, an Air India Express Boeing 737 MAX, operating flight IX 938 from Hyderabad, made a hard landing at Phuket International Airport, Thailand. The aircraft, carrying 138 people, bounced once upon touchdown, resulting in the detachment of both nose wheels.

The incident caused the runway at Phuket International Airport to be closed for nearly seven hours, leading to the diversion of 20 flights to other airports. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the passengers and crew, which included six crew members and 132 passengers.

The flight departed from Hyderabad at 6:23 AM and was scheduled to arrive in Phuket at 11:25 AM local time. Following the hard landing, passengers were safely deplaned on the runway, and the aircraft was subsequently towed to the bay.

Runway Reopening

Phuket International Airport issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) to announce the temporary closure of the runway. Safety checks were conducted, and the runway was expected to reopen by 6 PM local time.

Official Statements

An Air India Express spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating, “We confirm that our Hyderabad-Phuket flight on March 11 experienced an issue with the nose wheel at Phuket Airport.” Additionally, an official statement from AI Express noted, “The nose wheels have been installed on the aircraft involved in the incident at Phuket Airport, allowing normal airport operations to resume.”

Expert Insights

Experts weighed in on the incident, with a senior B737 captain describing it as a clear case of a hard landing, citing damage to the nose wheel on the second touchdown. An experienced pilot added, “Phuket is a tricky place to land if the winds are strong and thermals during hot afternoon time which is usually the case there.”

This incident highlights the challenges faced by pilots landing at Phuket, particularly under adverse weather conditions. The aircraft involved was registered as VT-BWQ and had undergone routine maintenance, including the replacement of the nose wheels on March 8, 2026.

While the incident caused significant disruptions at Phuket International Airport, the swift response from the crew and airport authorities ensured the safety of all on board. Details remain unconfirmed regarding any further investigations into the cause of the hard landing.

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“Air India and Air India Express will continue to operate their respective scheduled services to and from Jeddah and Muscat on 9 March 2026, as the airspaces over Saudi Arabia and Oman remain open,” a spokesperson confirmed. This announcement comes as both airlines adapt to the current travel landscape and the needs of passengers in the region.

On March 9, 2026, Air India plans to operate one round-trip each from Delhi and Mumbai to Jeddah, while Air India Express will also provide one round-trip each from Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Kozhikode to the same destination. Additionally, Air India Express will operate 14 flights to and from Muscat, ensuring that travelers have multiple options for their journeys.

In light of the ongoing situation, Air India and Air India Express will operate a total of 32 ad-hoc non-scheduled flights to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on the same day. These flights are being conducted to assist in bringing stranded travelers home to India, highlighting the airlines’ commitment to passenger welfare during these challenging times.

Furthermore, Air India will run 10 special flights to and from Dubai, which includes three round-trips from Mumbai and two from Delhi. This expansion of services aims to accommodate the increasing demand for travel between India and the Gulf region.

Despite the operational adjustments, it is important to note that all scheduled flights of Air India Express to and from Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Kuwait, and Riyadh are cancelled until March 13, while Air India’s scheduled flights to and from Dammam, Doha, and Riyadh remain cancelled until March 10. These cancellations reflect the airlines’ response to the evolving travel conditions.

More than 52,000 Indians travelled safely from the Gulf region to India between March 1-7, 2026, demonstrating the significant movement of passengers during this period. The Government of India is continuously monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, especially with regard to the welfare of Indian nationals who have been stranded there during transit or on short-duration visits.

As the situation develops, further updates regarding flight operations and travel advisories are expected. Travelers are encouraged to stay informed through official channels to ensure a smooth travel experience.

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