Scheduled Services Resume
Air India and its subsidiary, Air India Express, are set to resume both regular and special flight services to six different cities across the Middle East
on March 8. This significant step forward in operations is directly attributed to the recent reopening of airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman. The airlines confirmed that with these vital air corridors now accessible, they will continue their scheduled flights to Jeddah and Muscat. Air India's planned operations include round trips from Delhi and Mumbai to Jeddah. Simultaneously, Air India Express will maintain its scheduled flights connecting Muscat with various Indian cities such as Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai, and Kannur. Additionally, Air India Express will operate services linking Jeddah with Bengaluru, Kozhikode, and Mangaluru. This resumption of services aims to re-establish connectivity and support travelers impacted by previous airspace closures.
Oman and Saudi Arabia Routes
On March 8, Air India and Air India Express will be running a series of scheduled flights to Oman and Saudi Arabia, catering to essential travel needs. In Oman, the focus will be on Muscat (MCT), with Air India Express operating seven distinct routes. These include round trips from Mumbai to Muscat (IX235/IX236), Delhi to Muscat (IX163/IX164), and multiple services connecting Kochi with Muscat (IX431/IX432 and IX441/IX442). Further routes from Kozhikode to Muscat (IX337/IX338 and IX318/IX317) and Thiruvananthapuram to Muscat (IX550/IX549) are also scheduled. For Saudi Arabia, the destination is Jeddah (JED). Air India will operate direct flights between Delhi and Jeddah (AI2255/AI2256) and between Mumbai and Jeddah (AI2245/AI2246). Air India Express will contribute with flights connecting Kozhikode to Jeddah (IX397/IX398), Mangaluru to Jeddah (IX845/846), and Bengaluru to Jeddah (IX941/942). It is important for passengers to note that these flights are subject to final regulatory approvals and they should verify the latest updates directly with the airlines.
Additional UAE Flights
In addition to scheduled services, Air India and Air India Express are deploying over 30 extra non-scheduled flights on March 8, primarily connecting India with various airports in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), alongside some services to Oman. These additional flights are specifically designated for passengers who are currently stranded and hold existing bookings with either carrier, with priority given to these travelers. The UAE will see extensive operations across four airports: Dubai (DXB), Ras Al Khaimah (RKT), Abu Dhabi (AUH), and Sharjah (SHJ). Air India and Air India Express will jointly operate routes from Mumbai and Delhi to Dubai, with separate Air India Express services also connecting Bengaluru to Dubai. Ras Al Khaimah will be served by Air India Express with flights from Mumbai, Kochi, Delhi, and Bengaluru. Abu Dhabi will see Air India Express flights from Mumbai and Bengaluru. Sharjah will also have Air India Express services connecting Mumbai and Bengaluru. Furthermore, Air India Express will operate two additional routes to Muscat, Oman, from Mumbai and Delhi. These supplemental flights are crucial for repatriating passengers and easing travel disruptions.
Cancellations and Rebooking
Amidst the operational adjustments, several flights remain cancelled. Air India Express has confirmed the cancellation of all its scheduled flights to and from Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Kuwait, and Riyadh, effective until March 13. Similarly, Air India has cancelled its scheduled flights to and from Dammam, Doha, and Riyadh, with these cancellations extending until March 10. Passengers whose flights have been cancelled have been provided with flexible options. They can choose to rebook their travel to a future date without incurring any additional charges or opt for a complete refund of their ticket. Specific instructions have been issued for passengers to follow for rebooking or cancellation requests through the respective airline websites. For those requiring further assistance or clarification, customer support hotlines have been made available by both Air India and Air India Express, ensuring travelers can manage their arrangements efficiently.
