Air India Adjusts Flight Operations Amidst West Asia Crisis

Air India and Air India Express are actively managing flight operations in response to escalating tensions in West Asia, prioritizing passenger safety and minimizing disruption. The airlines are offering flexible rebooking options for affected travelers and adjusting routes for flights continuing to Europe and North America.

Flexible Rebooking and Cancellation Policies

Passengers booked on Air India or Air India Express flights to or from the West Asia region with tickets issued until March 4, 2026, and originally scheduled travel between February 28 and March 8, 2026, can rebook their flights to India on a future date within one month of their original travel date without incurring additional charges or fare differences.

Rebooking or cancellation requests can be submitted through the Air India website or by contacting their 24/7 customer support hotline at +911169329333 or +911169329999. Air India Express passengers traveling from the UAE can rebook flights without additional charges on the airline’s additional commercial flights operating from any UAE station to any destination in India.

For example, a passenger with a cancelled Dubai – Jaipur flight can now move their booking to a Ras Al Khaimah – Delhi flight at no extra cost. Air India and Air India Express are proactively contacting impacted passengers via mobile to provide rebooking options, emphasizing the importance of having updated contact information on file. Air India Express guests can also utilize the AI-powered digital assistant Tia on WhatsApp at +91 63600 12345 to manage rebookings.

Adjusted Flight Routes to Europe and North America

Air India’s services to Europe (including the United Kingdom) and North America are continuing as scheduled, but utilizing alternative routings over Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt to avoid restricted airspace in the West Asia region. This adjustment adds to total flight times and increases operational complexity, but ensures safe and regulator-approved travel.

Flights from India to North America are currently making technical stops in Rome (Fiumicino) or Vienna due to the extended routing.

Suspended Routes

As of March 6, 2026, the following West Asia routes remain suspended until further notice:

• Bahrain
• Doha
• Kuwait

Air India is actively exploring opportunities to operate additional ad-hoc flights to and from destinations in West Asia.

Air India Rejects Claims of Flying Over Restricted Airspace

Air India has clarified that its flights are not operating over restricted airspace in West Asia, dismissing reports circulating on social media. The airline stated that all flight routes are planned using real-time intelligence, global aviation advisories, and continuous monitoring to ensure safety and compliance.

Increased Capacity on Key Routes

To meet surging passenger demand, Air India has increased capacity on key long-haul routes, including services to Toronto, Frankfurt, and Paris. Air Canada has also scheduled an additional frequency between Toronto and Delhi between March 7 and March 21, and will deploy a larger aircraft on its Toronto-London-Mumbai route.