Air India and Air India Express reduced some of the ad hoc operations from India to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Sunday (March 15, 2026), citing “instructions from UAE authorities.”
Amid rising tensions in West Asia, most flights operated by both airlines from multiple cities including Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai, Hyderabad among others are now cancelled.
The announcement comes a day after both airlines announced they would operate a combined total of 72 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the Middle East on Sunday. Khaleej Times reported. Of these, a total of 52 non-scheduled flights would operate to and from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
In a statement, Air India regretted the “inconvenience caused by these unavoidable limitations.” He wrote: “Guests with canceled or temporarily suspended services can rebook for a future date at no additional charge or opt for a full refund.”
Both Air India and Air India Express will now operate only one return flight from Dubai to Delhi on Sunday, instead of five and six as previously planned.
Meanwhile, all five scheduled Air India Express flights to Abu Dhabi are cancelled. The airline will continue its flight operations from Sharjah to Delhi, Kannur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram.
It will also operate flights from Ras Al Khaimah to Kozhikode and Kochi on Sunday.
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All these flights will be operated subject to the availability of spaces and the prevailing conditions during the time of operation, a statement said.
Indigo
Citing the “evolving situation in the Middle East”, IndiGo on Sunday further restricted all its flight operations in Dubai, which has resulted in changes in flight schedules.
Sharing a post on X, the airline requested its customers traveling to and from Dubai to check their flight status on its official website before their departure to the airport. “We also send notifications to keep customers informed about the latest updates,” he said.
Update: Due to the evolving situation in the Middle East, flight operations have been further restricted in Dubai, resulting in changes to flight schedules.
Customers traveling to/from Dubai should check their flight status at https://t.co/ll3K8Px1Ht before departing to… https://t.co/j3mr7nyxCv
– IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) March 14, 2026
The announcement comes a day after IndiGo put some of its flights scheduled between March 16 and 28 to the Middle East and select routes to Europe on sale, as part of its efforts to rebuild its flight network across the region.
Qatar Airways
Qatar Airways will operate limited flights to and from Doha from Sunday.
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“With Qatar Airways flights still temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatar airspace, we are doing everything we can to support affected passengers and help them reunite with their families and loved ones. We recognize that this may be unsettling and appreciate your patience and understanding during this time,” Qatar Airways wrote in a post on X.
He shared that operations will resume once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) confirms the safe reopening of Qatari airspace, which currently remains closed due to escalating tensions in the Middle East.
Following clearance from the QCAA, Qatar Airways plans to operate selected flights over the next week. However, he clarified, “These flights do not constitute confirmation of the resumption of scheduled commercial operations.”
Travelers can book these flights and check the latest flight updates by visiting the Qatar Airways website or app, or through a travel agent, it said.
Schedule Update: Qatar Airways operates a limited flight schedule to and from Doha.
As Qatar Airways flights are still temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatar airspace, we are doing everything we can to support affected passengers and help them reunite with their families and… pic.twitter.com/SCphUPgLlS
– Qatar Airways (@qatarairways) March 14, 2026
Additionally, the airline has organized selected point-to-point direct flights, helping passengers continue their travels. “Qatar Airways will directly contact eligible passengers for point-to-point flights,” it announced. It also asked its customers to avoid arriving at their departure airport “unless they have a valid and confirmed travel ticket.”
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Those with confirmed reservations for travel between February 28 and March 28, 2026 are eligible for a refund or date change.
Air Canada
Air Canada announced on Saturday the cancellation of its Toronto-Dubai flight until May 1. “Due to unrest in the Middle East, our Toronto-Dubai flights are canceled until at least May 1. We plan to gradually reintroduce service when flights can safely resume,” it said.
Due to unrest in the Middle East, our Toronto-Dubai flights are canceled until at least May 1. We plan to reintroduce the service gradually when flights can safely resume. We continue to add capacity to Delhi to provide travelers with options to Canada. pic.twitter.com/SDriwdHZEF
— Air Canada (@AirCanada) March 13, 2026
The airline, however, will continue to add capacity for travelers to their trip to Delhi, thus opening up options for travel to Canada.
Latest updates from Middle East War
The move comes as the conflict in the Middle East has entered its 16th volatile day, with Iran launching a series of drones towards Qatar, Dubai and Saudi Arabia. Sounds were heard in the Marina and Al Sufouh areas of Dubai on Sunday after successful air defense interceptions. The Saudi Defense Ministry also said it intercepted seven drones in Riyadh and the eastern region on Sunday. Qatar’s Defense Ministry announced Saturday night that it intercepted four ballistic missiles and several drones from Iran.
The Kuwaiti Ministry of Defense also reported that it intercepted two drones targeting the Ahmad Al-Jaber air base, causing material damage in the vicinity of the base. The UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Iran’s attack on the UAE Consulate General in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.
