Several airlines operating in India canceled flights to West Asia on March 15 due to restrictions at airports in the United Arab Emirates amid escalating regional conflicts. Services to Dubai and Abu Dhabi were notably affected, with Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo all adjusting their schedules in response to directives from UAE airport authorities.
Air India and its subsidiary, Air India Express, canceled multiple flights to destinations including Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Air India operated only one Delhi–Dubai return flight, while the remaining flights were canceled. Similarly, Air India Express canceled five of its six Dubai flights and all five flights to Abu Dhabi. Both airlines offered passengers options for refunds or rescheduling without additional charges and stated efforts to repatriate stranded travelers.
IndiGo also announced cancellations of flights to and from Dubai due to airspace restrictions linked to the conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran. The airline advised passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport, emphasizing ongoing operational adjustments amid the geopolitical tensions.
Initially, these airlines were scheduled to operate a combined total of 72 flights to various West Asian destinations, including Jeddah and Muscat. They planned multiple return services from cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram. However, these plans were significantly curtailed, affecting thousands of travelers.
In response to rising fuel prices driven by geopolitical developments, Indian carriers have also begun implementing fuel surcharges. Akasa Air announced a surcharge ranging from Rs 199 to Rs 1,300 depending on the route, while IndiGo introduced a surcharge from Rs 425 to Rs 2,300. Additionally, Air India and Air India Express applied a domestic fuel surcharge of Rs 399 per ticket from March 12, reflecting rising operational costs.
