Air India and Air India Express will operate a total of 30 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from West Asia on March 23, even as services to several destinations in the region remain restricted, the airline group said.
In a statement issued via social media platform X, the airline confirmed that both carriers would continue limited operations across key routes while adjusting schedules based on operational constraints and regulatory approvals.
Scheduled services will continue on select routes, including flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, where a total of 10 flights will operate between India and the city. Air India will run one return service each from Delhi and Mumbai, while Air India Express will operate flights from Bengaluru, Kozhikode and Mangaluru.
Air India Express will also operate four scheduled flights to and from Muscat, covering routes from Delhi and Mumbai. In addition, four scheduled services will run to and from Riyadh, connecting Bengaluru and Kozhikode with the Saudi capital.
Alongside scheduled operations, the airline group will deploy 12 non-scheduled flights to destinations in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. These services will be subject to slot availability and operational conditions and are being operated with approvals from Indian and local aviation authorities.
Among UAE destinations, ad hoc flights will connect Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah. Air India will operate services between Delhi and Dubai, while Air India Express will run flights linking Delhi and Mumbai with Abu Dhabi, and Mangaluru with Sharjah.
Despite these operations, several routes will remain without scheduled or additional services. The airline group said there will be no flights to Ras Al Khaimah and Al Ain in the UAE, Salalah in Oman, Dammam in Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain, Doha, Kuwait and Tel Aviv.
Operations on long-haul routes remain unaffected. The airline confirmed that all flights to and from North America, Europe, Australia and other international regions will continue as per schedule.
Passengers affected by the temporary suspension of services on certain routes have been offered flexible options. The airline has allowed re-booking without additional charges or the option of a full refund. Travellers have been advised to use official booking platforms or customer support channels for assistance.
Air India Express has also enabled re-booking through its digital assistant on WhatsApp, particularly for passengers travelling from UAE stations. The airline said it is directly contacting affected passengers and is assessing the possibility of operating additional ad hoc flights, depending on operational feasibility.
The airline group indicated that flight operations to West Asia remain dynamic and subject to change based on evolving conditions, with adjustments being made to maintain connectivity on priority routes while complying with regulatory requirements.
