Air India resumes UAE flights after Middle East airspace reopens
Flights to Europe and Canada also restarting from today
DUBAI: India’s flagship airline, Air India, has begun a phased resumption of flights to the Middle East, including the UAE, following the gradual reopening of regional airspaces.
This follows the recent Iran-Israel ceasefire after a period of intense volatility, including a missile strike by Iran on the US Al Udeid military base in Qatar on June 23.
The India-UAE route is one of the busiest international flight corridors globally, serving thousands of passengers daily. With a large Indian community residing in the UAE, the route is a lifeline for both personal and professional travel.
Middle East disruptions
On June 23, Air India temporarily suspended all operations to the Middle East and North America’s East Coast, rerouting services to avoid conflict-affected airspaces. This followed the unexpected closure of airspaces by Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait as a direct consequence of the Iranian strike, which Doha condemned as a violation of its sovereignty and international law.
Regional powers, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, issued strong statements condemning the Iranian action, expressing solidarity with Qatar and calling for de-escalation to preserve regional security.
Flight resumptions begin
Air India confirmed that services to and from the Middle East would progressively resume from June 24, with the majority expected to be reinstated by June 25. In addition, flights to Europe – previously cancelled – are also being reinstated, while routes connecting India with the East Coast of the US and Canada are expected to resume shortly.
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) June 24, 2025
"As airspaces gradually reopen in certain parts of the Middle East, Air India will progressively resume flights to the region starting today, with most operations to and from the Middle East resuming from 25 June. Flights to and from Europe, previously…
“Air India will progressively resume flights to the region starting today,” a spokesperson stated. “We will continue to avoid airspaces assessed as unsafe.”
Safety and delays
While operations are resuming, the airline cautioned that some flights may still face delays or cancellations due to extended routings or logistical complications. Passengers have been advised to monitor their flight status closely.
Air India reaffirmed that passenger, staff, and aircraft safety remains its top priority. The airline also reiterated its commitment to schedule restoration and thanked travellers for their continued patience and cooperation.