Air travel between the United Arab Emirates and India has started to stabilize after days of major disruption caused by escalating tensions in West Asia.
On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, select Emirates flights from Dubai International Airport resumed operations to Indian cities, including Mumbai. An Emirates flight successfully landed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, marking one of the first scheduled arrivals since Gulf airspace restrictions disrupted services over the weekend.
The crisis emerged following intensified hostilities involving Iran, the United States, and Israel, leading to temporary closures and restrictions across key Middle Eastern air corridors. Major aviation hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha faced operational constraints, forcing airlines worldwide to cancel, reroute, or delay flights. The sudden airspace closures left thousands of passengers stranded and affected global connectivity.
In response, UAE-based carriers – Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai – initiated limited flight operations focused primarily on repatriating stranded travelers and repositioning aircraft. However, full commercial schedules have not yet been restored, and airlines are continuing operations cautiously, depending on evolving security assessments.
Indian carriers have also adjusted international schedules, with several flights either rescheduled or temporarily suspended due to route safety concerns. Aviation authorities are closely monitoring the situation to ensure passenger safety while gradually restoring services.
Travel advisories remain in place, and passengers are strongly advised to check with their respective airlines for real-time updates before heading to airports. While flight operations are slowly resuming, complete normalization of services across the region may take additional time.
