Flights Scheduled Change: Air India and Air India Express are operating their regular flights as the airspace of Saudi Arabia and Oman is open amid the review of the Middle East crisis.
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Flights Scheduled Change: Amid the deepening crisis in the Middle East, India has made limited changes to flights to Gulf countries. Flights have resumed on some routes, while others remain temporarily suspended. Akasa Air will operate limited flights to Jeddah on March 8, while Air India and Air India Express are continuing their regular services to Jeddah and Muscat. Due to security and airspace restrictions, additional, or non-scheduled, flights are being operated on several routes to prioritize the repatriation of stranded passengers. Airlines have urged passengers to check their flight updates before traveling to the airport, as timetables are constantly changing due to the current situation.
Akasa Air: Flights to Jeddah on March 8, Discounts on Some Routes
Amid the Iran-Israel War, Akasa Air announced that it will operate select flights to Jeddah on March 8. Mumbai–Jeddah (QP 561) is scheduled to depart at 7:20 p.m., and Jeddah–Mumbai (QP 562) is scheduled to depart at 11:55 p.m. The company has reopened bookings from Jeddah to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kochi, and Kozhikode until March 31. Flights to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh, and Kuwait will remain suspended until March 8, 2026. A special waiver applies to passengers from these cities until March 31, 2026. They can change their ticket dates without additional fees or receive a full refund; the refund will be credited to the same payment method within 7 days.
Saudi-Oman airspace opens, AI/AIX flights resume
Due to the open airspace of Saudi Arabia and Oman, Air India and Air India Express are operating their scheduled flights. Air India is operating Delhi-Jeddah-Delhi (AI2255/AI2256) and Mumbai-Jeddah-Mumbai (AI2245/AI2246) as scheduled. Air India Express is connecting Muscat with Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai, and Kannur. Flights are also operating between Jeddah and Bengaluru, Kozhikode, and Mangaluru. This arrangement is based on passenger demand and available airspace, but the airlines clarified that changes will be made as needed.
Today’s (March 8) list: Scheduled flights for Jeddah–Muscat
Oman (Muscat) – Air India Express:
Mumbai–Muscat–Mumbai (IX235/IX236), Delhi–Muscat–Delhi (IX163/IX164), Kochi–Muscat–Kochi (IX431/IX432, IX441/IX442), Kozhikode–Muscat–Kozhikode (IX337/IX338, IX318/IX317), Thiruvananthapuram–Muscat–Thiruvananthapuram (IX550/IX549).
Saudi (Jeddah) – Air India:
Delhi–Jeddah–Delhi (AI2255/AI2256), Mumbai–Jeddah–Mumbai (AI2245/AI2246).
Saudi (Jeddah) – Air India Express:
Kozhikode–Jeddah–Kozhikode (IX397/IX398), Mangaluru–Jeddah–Mangaluru (IX845/IX846), Bengaluru–Jeddah–Bengaluru (IX941/IX942)
Note: Akasa’s Mumbai–Jeddah (QP 561) and Jeddah–Mumbai (QP 562) flights are also operational today; times are local.
Additional (non-scheduled) flights: Priority for stranded passengers
Due to airspace restrictions in parts of West Asia, several additional flights have been scheduled for March 8. These services will prioritize pre-booked and stranded passengers.
- Dubai – Air India: Mumbai–Dubai–Delhi (AI4201/AI4202), Delhi–Dubai–Delhi (AI4205/AI4206)
- Dubai – Air India Express: Mumbai–Dubai–Mumbai (IX2117/IX2118, IX1117/IX1118), Delhi–Dubai–Delhi (IX2115/IX2116), Bengaluru–Dubai–Bengaluru (IX1115/IX1116).
- Ras Al Khaimah: Mumbai–RAK–Mumbai (IX1121/IX1122, IX6605/IX6606), Kochi–RAK–Kochi (IX1123/IX1125), Delhi–RAK–Delhi (IX6603/IX6604), Bengaluru–RAK–Bengaluru (IX6701/IX6702).
- Abu Dhabi: Mumbai–AUH–Mumbai (IX257/IX268), Bengaluru–AUH–Bengaluru (IX865/IX866).
- Sharjah: Mumbai–SHJ–Mumbai (IX251/IX252), Bengaluru–SHJ–Bengaluru (IX6607/IX6608).
- Muscat (Additional): Mumbai–Muscat–Mumbai (IX1112/IX1113), Delhi–Muscat–Delhi (IX6601/IX6602)
Air India Express has also announced plans to operate approximately 30 additional flights between India and UAE cities—Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah—to immediately increase capacity and clear the backlog.
Travel Advice: Check Status, Take Advantage of Waivers
Passengers are advised to check the real-time status of their flights on the airline’s website/app before heading to the airport. Passengers on routes where the waiver applies can also opt for a free date change or a full refund. Refunds will be processed within 7 days using the same payment method. In cities where additional flights are being operated, stranded/pre-booked passengers will be accommodated first. Seat availability and priority rules will apply for new bookings. This is subject to security assessments, so last-minute changes to timings/flight numbers are possible. Please check for regular updates.
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