Major Flight Disruptions Continue Across Middle East, Airlines Issue Travel Advisories
Significant flight disruptions continue to affect air travel across the Middle East region, prompting multiple airlines to issue detailed travel advisories and operational updates for passengers. The situation has created widespread uncertainty for travelers, with airlines implementing both suspensions and limited resumptions of service.
Air India Express Announces Partial Resumption and Extended Suspensions
Air India Express has confirmed that flight operations to and from Muscat will resume effective March 3, 2026. However, the airline has extended suspensions for flights connecting to several other key Middle Eastern destinations. Services to and from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will remain suspended until 23:59 hours Indian Standard Time on March 3, 2026, which corresponds to 18:29 hours UTC.
The airline has advised affected passengers to monitor official channels for further updates regarding their travel plans and potential rebooking options.
IndiGo Operates Limited Dedicated Flights from Saudi Arabia
IndiGo Airlines has announced a partial normalization of operations between Saudi Arabia and India, with four dedicated flights scheduled from Jeddah on March 3, 2026. These special flights will serve three major Indian cities: Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad.
The airline emphasized that these flights are being specifically arranged to cater to passengers affected by the ongoing disruptions and represent part of their efforts to gradually restore normal operations on this critical route.
Air India Maintains Operations to Western Destinations
Air India has confirmed that it continues to operate scheduled flights to all its destinations in the United States, Canada, Europe, and the United Kingdom. The airline stated it is closely monitoring and assessing the evolving situation in the Middle East region.
In their official advisory, Air India emphasized that the safety and security of customers and crew members remains their highest priority as they navigate the current operational challenges.
Etihad Airways Extends Suspension Through March 4
Etihad Airways has announced that all scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi will remain suspended until 14:00 UAE time on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. This represents one of the most extensive suspensions among airlines operating in the region.
The airline noted that some repositioning flights, cargo operations, and repatriation flights may operate during this period, but only in coordination with United Arab Emirates authorities and under specific regulatory approvals.
Delhi Airport Issues Passenger Advisory
Delhi International Airport issued a formal passenger advisory at 09:00 hours on March 3, 2026, alerting travelers to the ongoing disruptions affecting multiple airlines and destinations. The advisory serves as official notification of the operational challenges facing air travel through one of India's busiest aviation hubs.
Travelers are strongly advised to:
- Check directly with their airlines for the latest flight status and schedule information
- Allow additional time for airport processing and potential delays
- Monitor official airline social media channels and websites for real-time updates
- Consider travel insurance options for affected bookings
The collective advisories from multiple airlines indicate that the airspace disruption affecting the Middle East region continues to have significant operational consequences for international air travel, with recovery efforts expected to continue through at least March 4, 2026.
