Air India Group Continues Operations to Saudi Arabia and Oman
In a strategic move amidst regional disruptions, the Air India group has confirmed that Air India and Air India Express will proceed with their scheduled services to Jeddah and Muscat on March 10, 2026. This decision comes as airspaces over Saudi Arabia and Oman remain fully accessible, allowing for uninterrupted travel to these key destinations. However, the airline group has simultaneously announced the suspension of flights to several other locations in West Asia until March 13, 2026, citing the evolving situation in the region.
Detailed Flight Operations for March 10
According to an official announcement made by Air India Newsroom on X (@AirIndia_News) at 10:09 PM on March 9, 2026, the carriers are set to operate a combined total of 14 flights to and from Jeddah. Specifically, Air India will manage one round-trip flight from Delhi and two round-trips from Mumbai to the Saudi city. Air India Express will supplement these efforts with one round-trip each from Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Mangaluru, and Kozhikode.
For Muscat, services will continue as planned, with Air India Express operating six round-trip flights. These connections will link the Omani capital with Delhi, Kannur, Kochi, Mumbai, Thiruvananthapuram, and Tiruchirappalli, ensuring comprehensive coverage from multiple Indian cities.
Additional Ad-Hoc Flights to the UAE
Beyond the scheduled services, the Air India group is proactively arranging 32 additional non-scheduled flights between India and the United Arab Emirates on March 10, 2026. These operations are contingent upon slot availability, regulatory approvals, and the prevailing conditions at departure points. The group has secured the necessary permissions from both Indian and local regulatory authorities to facilitate these flights.
Air India will operate 10 ad-hoc flights to and from Dubai, including three round-trips from Mumbai and two round-trips from Delhi. Air India Express will contribute with one round-trip each to Dubai from Mumbai and Bengaluru. Furthermore, Air India Express will manage 18 non-scheduled flights to other emirates, such as Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Ras Al-Khaimah, with connections from cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, Kochi, and Mumbai.
Cancellations and Passenger Assistance
Due to the ongoing regional developments, the airline group has cancelled all scheduled operations to other West Asian destinations until March 13, 2026. Passengers affected by these cancellations are being offered flexible options to mitigate inconvenience. They can rebook their journeys for a later date without incurring any additional charges or opt for a full refund of their tickets.
Air India has advised travellers to submit rebooking or cancellation requests through its official website or by contacting its 24-hour customer support helpline. For Air India Express passengers departing from the UAE, there is an option to shift bookings to other commercial flights from any UAE station to Indian destinations without extra fees. For instance, a passenger with a confirmed booking on a cancelled Dubai–Jaipur flight may transfer to a Ras Al Khaimah–Delhi service at no additional cost.
Both airlines are actively reaching out to affected passengers via registered mobile numbers to provide alternative travel solutions. Additionally, Air India Express customers can utilize the airline's AI-powered WhatsApp assistant, Tia, to manage their bookings efficiently. The Air India group emphasized its commitment to exploring further possibilities for operating more ad-hoc flights to and from West Asia to assist passengers during this period of disruption.
