‘Guests can rebook or seek refund’: Air India cancels several UAE flights after airport restrictions

Air India said on Sunday it had canceled several flights to the United Arab Emirates after airport authorities imposed operating restrictions as airlines continued to adjust schedules amid the conflict in West Asia.

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The Tata-owned airline said the restrictions forced both Air India and Air India Express to curtail operations. « As per the directives of the UAE airport authorities, Air India and Air India Express will continue to curtail their ad hoc operations from March 15, 2026, » the airline said in a statement.

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The airline confirmed that all Air India Express flights operating from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah on Sunday remain cancelled.

« All Air India Express flights scheduled for the day from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah were cancelled, » the statement said. « Both airlines now operate one round-trip flight on the Delhi-Dubai sector. »

The airline added that these services depend on operating conditions. « These flights operate according to the availability of departure and arrival times and the conditions prevailing during the flight. »

Passengers affected by the cancellations have been offered flexible options. « Guests booked on canceled or temporarily suspended services may reschedule at no additional charge or choose a full refund. »

IndiGo suspends operations to seven destinations in the Middle East

Air traffic in the Middle East has been disrupted since the start of the Iran war on February 28, affecting airspace availability and airport operations across the region.

Other Indian airlines have also reduced their services due to the deteriorating security environment. IndiGo announced on Saturday that it would suspend flights to seven destinations in the region – Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah – until March 28 as part of wider network changes.

« As part of these necessary network changes, scheduled operations to Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah will remain suspended until March 28, 2026, » IndiGo said.

Despite the disruptions, IndiGo said it would maintain a limited network and operate about 252 weekly flights to and from the Middle East between March 16 and March 28.