Indian carriers operate 58 relief flights as Gulf airspace closures strand 1 million travelers
Indian carriers operated 58 relief flights on March 3, 2026, evacuating stranded travelers from UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Oman after Iranian missile retaliation closed Gulf airspace on February 28. IndiGo, Air India, Emirates, and Etihad ran special services to Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad, with 1,221 Indian flights and 388 foreign flights cancelled so far. Over 1 million passengers remain affected globally as the conflict continues.
Relief flights operate on 24-48 hour windows with limited seats. This article covers which airlines are flying, how to secure a seat, and alternative routing via Muscat if you miss the specials.
The Iran conflict that erupted on February 28, 2026—triggered by US-Israel airstrikes killing Ayatollah Ali Khamenei—has shut down major Gulf hubs and left tens of thousands of Indian travelers stranded in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, and Riyadh. Iranian missile and drone retaliation over Israel and Gulf states forced airspace closures across the region.
Indian carriers responded with 58 relief and commercial flights on Tuesday, March 3: 30 from IndiGo, 23 from Air India and Air India Express. Emirates flew 5 specials to Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad. Etihad operated 15 from Abu Dhabi within a 3-hour clearance window.
SpiceJet ran 3 flights from Fujairah on Tuesday and plans 3 more to Mumbai and Delhi on Wednesday and Thursday. Air India Express continues Muscat-Delhi, Kochi, and Mumbai services. Delhi airport alone saw over 100 international cancellations in one day.
How the relief operation works
Indian carriers secured clearance from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to operate special flights from Saudi Arabia and Oman, where airspace remains partially open. IndiGo scheduled 10 special flights from Jeddah to Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad on March 3, with clearance confirmed for 4.
Emirates and Etihad received narrow time slots—Etihad’s 15 flights departed Abu Dhabi within a 3-hour window on Tuesday. These are not regular schedules. Airlines operate when Gulf authorities grant temporary clearance, often with 12-24 hours’ notice.
Indian carriers have cut approximately 750 international flights over two days as they reroute long-haul services. Air India now flies North America routes via Rome instead of Gulf hubs. The Economic Times reports 1,609 total cancellations across Indian and foreign carriers as of March 4.
This is the largest West Asia travel disruption since COVID-19. Over 1 million passengers remain affected globally as governments coordinate mass evacuations.
Why Muscat is the escape route
Oman’s airspace remains open. Air India Express and Oman Air continue operating Muscat-India flights with normal schedules. If you’re stranded in Dubai or Abu Dhabi and miss the relief flights, Muscat is your fallback.
Ground transport from UAE to Oman takes 4-6 hours by bus or private car. Several stranded travelers used this route Tuesday when Emirates slots filled within minutes. The DGCA issued a waiver allowing free rescheduling on impacted routes—check with your airline before rebooking.
Airspace closures create cascading delays beyond the conflict zone. Similar disruptions occurred when Russia closed its airspace to Western carriers in 2022, forcing reroutes that added 2-4 hours to Asia flights. Gulf closures now force Indian carriers into longer Mediterranean paths, burning extra fuel and cutting payload capacity.
What to do if you’re stranded
- Check flight status on IndiGo, Air India, or SpiceJet apps hourly—relief flights appear with 12-24 hours’ notice. Do not go to the airport without confirmation.
- Contact Indian missions in UAE (Dubai, Abu Dhabi) or Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh) for priority placement on relief flights. Embassy hotlines operate 24/7 during evacuations.
- Book alternatives via Muscat with Air India Express or Oman Air. Use the DGCA waiver for free rescheduling on cancelled routes—airlines must honor this without fees.
- Monitor the Ministry of Civil Aviation portal for updated clearances. Relief flights operate in narrow windows—if you see availability, book immediately.
Can I get a refund if my Gulf flight was cancelled?
The DGCA waiver allows free rescheduling, but refunds depend on airline policy. IndiGo and Air India typically offer full refunds for conflict-related cancellations—file through the airline app or website within 7 days.
Are transit passengers eligible for relief flights?
Yes, if you hold an Indian passport or were connecting through Gulf hubs to India. Foreign nationals should contact their embassies—several countries are running parallel evacuation flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
How long will the airspace closures last?
No official timeline exists. Gulf airspace reopens in temporary windows when Iranian retaliation pauses. The February 28 closures remain active as of March 4, with no indication of full reopening until diplomatic negotiations conclude.
What happens if I miss a relief flight?
Use the Muscat route via ground transport from UAE (4-6 hours) or book Oman Air from Muscat to India. Relief flights prioritize stranded passengers, but seats fill within minutes—have a backup plan ready.
