Air India starts limited Dubai, Jeddah flights to bring back stranded passengers; check details

Tata Group-owned Air India has started operating a few flights to Dubai and Jeddah to bring back stranded passengers while most of its services to the Middle East remain suspended till the end of Thursday, the airline said.

In a travel advisory posted on X on March 5, Air India said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and is prioritising the safety and wellbeing of passengers.

“Air India is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and has started operating a few flights to and from Dubai and Jeddah to bring back stranded passengers giving highest priority to their safety and wellbeing,” the airline said.

While most operations to the Middle East will remain suspended till 11:59 pm IST of March 5, the carrier said it plans to resume scheduled services to Jeddah from Thursday after assessing the situation.

The airline said the flights planned include AI2255/2256 (Delhi–Jeddah–Delhi), AI2251/2252 (Mumbai–Jeddah–Mumbai) and AI2245/2246 (Mumbai–Jeddah–Mumbai).

Air India has also scheduled an additional service — AI909D/996D — early on March 5 on the Mumbai–Dubai–Delhi route using a B777 aircraft with larger capacity to bring back stranded passengers.

The airline expressed regret over the inconvenience caused due to the suspension of flights and said it is assisting affected passengers.

“Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers impacted by the suspension of its flights to the Middle East and is committed to assisting them with alternative arrangements and options of full refunds or complimentary rescheduling,” it said.

Budget carrier IndiGo on March 4 said that some of the previously announced flights to Athens, Muscat, Jeddah and Madinah, along with select repatriation services to the UAE, have begun operations as the airline gradually restores connectivity on the affected routes.

“Over the past few days, many of our customers have been navigating uncertainty while waiting to return home or reach places that matter most to them,” IndiGo said in a travel advisory.

The airline said the safety of passengers and crew remains its highest priority and it will increase the frequency of repatriation flights to the UAE subject to approvals.

Customers have been advised to monitor their flight status and wait for confirmation from the airline before proceeding to the airport.