If you're holding a ticket to the Middle East today, your plans just got a lot more complicated. The Air India Group, which includes both the flagship carrier and Air India Express, has significantly scaled back its operations. They're only running 24 flights across the entire West Asia region today, March 24, 2026. This isn't just a minor schedule tweak. It's a massive reduction from the 50+ flights they were managing just a few days ago.
The volatility in the region has forced the airline's hand. While 24 flights might sound like a decent number, they're heavily concentrated in just a few "safe" corridors. If your destination isn't Jeddah or Muscat, you're likely looking at a cancellation or an ad-hoc flight that depends entirely on last-minute slot availability. Learn more on a similar subject: this related article.
Where you can actually fly today
Don't expect the usual hub-and-spoke efficiency. The airline is sticking to a skeletal scheduled service to keep specific lifelines open. Saudi Arabia and Oman are the only countries seeing "regular" scheduled operations from the group right now.
- Jeddah (Saudi Arabia): This is the strongest route today. There are 10 flights in total. Air India is running one return from Delhi and two from Mumbai. Air India Express is handling the south, with one flight each from Hyderabad and Kozhikode.
- Muscat (Oman): Air India Express is maintaining four scheduled flights today, primarily connecting the Omani capital with Delhi and Mumbai.
Everything else? It's a toss-up. For the UAE, the airline has scrapped all regular scheduled services. Instead, they're trying to push through 10 "non-scheduled" or ad-hoc flights to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. These aren't guaranteed. They depend on the airport situation and regulatory nods that can change in an hour. Further reporting by AFAR highlights similar views on the subject.
The no-fly list is growing
It's easier to list where you can't go. If you were planning to head to Riyadh, Dammam, Doha, or Kuwait City, you're out of luck. All operations to these cities are completely suspended for the day. Bahrain and Tel Aviv are also off the map.
Even within the UAE, if you aren't flying into Dubai or Abu Dhabi, you're likely stranded. Services to Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Al Ain are fully suspended. In Oman, Salalah has been cut from the list as well. This isn't just a logistical headache; it’s a full-scale operational retreat to only the most essential hubs.
What's happening behind the scenes
Why the sudden drop to 24 flights? The geopolitical situation in West Asia has reached a point where flying over certain airspaces is no longer a calculated risk—it’s a no-go. Air India isn't the only one feeling the heat. IndiGo and other regional players have been canceling hundreds of flights since the start of March.
When an airline says a flight is "ad-hoc," they're essentially saying they'll fly if the window of opportunity stays open. It’s a nightmare for the crew and even worse for you if you're trying to coordinate a connection. Interestingly, while West Asia is a mess, the group's long-haul flights to North America, Europe, and Australia are still running on their normal schedules. They’re simply taking much longer, more expensive detours to avoid the conflict zones.
Your rights and your next move
If your flight is on the suspended list, don't panic, but don't wait for a phone call that might not come. The Air India Group has been forced to offer two main paths for affected passengers. You can either rebook for a future date without paying any change fees, or you can opt for a full refund.
I’ve seen this play out before. The "full refund" often takes longer than they promise, so if you actually need to get to your destination, rebooking is usually the smarter play—if you can find a seat.
Immediate steps you should take
- Check the status right now: Don't head to the airport until you've verified your specific flight number on the Air India or Air India Express website.
- Use the AI bots: Air India Express has a WhatsApp bot named 'Tia' (+91 63600 12345). Type #GulfCrisis to get the most recent updates. It’s usually faster than the phone lines.
- Update your contact info: Ensure the mobile number on your booking is active. They're sending SMS alerts for the ad-hoc flights that get green-lit at the last minute.
- Look for alternative hubs: If you must travel, look at carriers that are still routing through different corridors, though be prepared for fare surges that are currently hitting 40% on some routes.
The situation is fluid. What’s scheduled for today might not exist by tomorrow morning. Stay proactive and keep your bags packed but your expectations low.
