India Flights Resume to Gulf — 40% of Routes Back, Fares Surge

Quick Summary

Around 40% of scheduled flights between India and West Asian destinations have resumed, including routes to Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain

Kerala airports — particularly Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode — are at the forefront of flight restorations, handling special services from Muscat and Saudi Arabia

Airlines operating resumed routes include Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Saudia, Oman Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, and SpiceJet

Visa delays, airspace closures, and surging ticket prices continue to disrupt travel plans — travelers are advised to book early and monitor schedules closely

India has joined Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Turkey, and other nations in a partial restoration of air connectivity as the Middle East conflict continues to reshape global aviation. As of March 10, 2026, approximately 40% of scheduled flights to key West Asian destinations are back in operation — covering cities including Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat, Dubai, Doha, and others — with carriers including Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Saudia, Oman Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, and SpiceJet operating services subject to government approvals and available airport slots. The recovery remains fragile, with delayed transit visas and ongoing airspace restrictions continuing to strand passengers and force last-minute itinerary changes.

Kerala Airports Lead India's Flight Resumption to the Gulf

Kerala has become the primary flashpoint for India's aviation recovery toward the Middle East — and for good reason. The state hosts one of India's largest expatriate communities working across the Gulf, and its airports serve as the closest international gateways to the Arabian Peninsula.

Kochi (Cochin International Airport), Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, and Kozhikode (Calicut International Airport) are all reporting a surge in special and resumed flights connecting Kerala to Muscat and Saudi Arabia. These flights are being cleared on a case-by-case basis, dependent on approvals from the respective governments of each destination country.

Tourism, a critical pillar of Kerala's economy, has absorbed significant damage from the ongoing disruption. But the state's airport authorities are actively managing capacity to accommodate both returning expatriates and leisure passengers seeking to fly back to the Gulf.

40% of Flights Operational — Full Recovery Still Weeks Away

The partial resumption covers roughly 40% of previously scheduled frequencies to West Asian destinations. That figure reflects the current ceiling imposed by three interdependent constraints:

Airspace availability: Large sections of Middle Eastern airspace remain restricted since closures began on February 28, 2026
Airport slot allocation: Even where airspace is open, landing and departure slots at destination airports are limited by reduced ground operations
Regulatory approvals: Individual governments in Saudi Arabia, Oman, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain must each clear specific flights before they can operate

Full recovery to pre-conflict service levels is directly tied to all three of these factors resolving simultaneously — a scenario that remains weeks away at minimum.

Visa Delays Add a Second Layer of Disruption

Alongside the flight-side problems, delayed transit visa processing has emerged as a separate but compounding issue for Indian travelers. Many passengers who had existing bookings through Middle Eastern hub airports have found their visas stuck in administrative backlogs, leaving them stranded or forced to seek entirely different routing.

This has been particularly acute for travelers with time-sensitive plans — business trips, religious pilgrimages including Hajj preparation travel, and pre-booked tour packages to Saudi Arabia, Oman, and the UAE have all been disrupted. Airlines including Air India, IndiGo, and Air India Express are offering flexible rebooking and rescheduling options in response, though last-minute schedule changes continue to create passenger uncertainty.

Ticket Prices Are Rising — Book Early

With fewer seats available against high pent-up demand, airfares on India-to-Gulf routes have surged. The India–Gulf corridor — particularly the Kerala–Riyadh, Kerala–Muscat, and Kerala–Dubai city pairs — is experiencing significant price increases that are likely to persist until full flight frequencies are restored.

Travelers planning trips to Riyadh, Muscat, Dubai, Doha, or other Gulf destinations are strongly advised to book as early as possible to secure available inventory before prices climb further. Airlines are adjusting their offerings in real time — flexible policies are currently in place, but fares are trending upward as demand outstrips the currently reduced supply.

The Destination Outlook: Saudi Arabia and Oman

Both Saudi Arabia and Oman are seeing a slow but measurable return of flight services from India.

Saudi Arabia — home to Mecca, Riyadh, Jeddah, and a booming tourism sector that has developed rapidly since the country opened to international visitors in 2019 — remains a critical destination for Indian travelers traveling for both religious and leisure purposes. The country's regulatory authorities are working alongside international carriers to scale up operations as conditions allow.

Oman continues to position itself as a tranquil alternative on the Arabian Peninsula — marketing its beaches, ancient forts, and traditional souks as desirable away from the epicentre of current tensions. Flight connectivity to Muscat is recovering more quickly than some other Gulf capitals, making Oman a relatively more accessible Gulf option for Indian travelers at present.

Airlines Operating Resumed Services

The following carriers are currently operating restored or special-approval services on India–Gulf routes:

Air India — operating select routes to Riyadh, Jeddah, Muscat, and Dubai
IndiGo — resumed services on key India–Gulf city pairs
Air India Express — operating from Kerala airports to Gulf destinations under government approvals
Saudia (Saudi Arabian Airlines) — resumed select routes from Indian cities to Riyadh and Jeddah
Oman Air — operating resumed Muscat services
Emirates — limited services resumed from Indian gateways to Dubai
Qatar Airways — operating under provisional corridor authorisation
FlyDubai — resumed select short-haul UAE services
SpiceJet — operating resumed Gulf routes subject to approvals

Key Facts at a Glance

~40% of scheduled India–West Asia flights currently operational
Airspace closures began February 28, 2026 — now in their second week
Full recovery tied to: airspace reopening + airport slot availability + government regulatory approvals
9 airlines operating resumed services: Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Saudia, Oman Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, SpiceJet
3 Kerala airports leading resumption: Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kozhikode
Delayed transit visas causing secondary disruption layer independent of flight availability
Hajj pilgrimage travel and business trips among the most affected categories
Ticket prices on India–Gulf routes have surged due to constrained supply
Airlines offering flexible rebooking and rescheduling for disruption-affected passengers

What This Means for Travelers

For Indian passengers traveling to or from the Gulf, the situation requires active management — not passive waiting. Here is what to do right now:

Check your specific route and airline. The 40% operational figure is an average — some routes (particularly to Muscat) are recovering faster than others (Riyadh, Jeddah). Verify your exact service is confirmed with your carrier before leaving for the airport.

Resolve visa status before booking. If your travel involves a transit through a Gulf hub, confirm your transit visa status directly with the consulate or airline before purchasing tickets. Do not assume visa processing has caught up with the backlog.

Book flights early to lock in fares. Ticket prices are rising. The longer you wait, the more expensive available seats will become. If you have a confirmed visa and your route is operational, book now.

Use airline flexible booking policies. All major carriers on India–Gulf routes are currently offering adjusted rebooking terms. If your schedule is uncertain, book under a flexible fare and document all disruption-related expenses for potential reimbursement.

Check Kerala's airport websites — Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, and Kozhikode are all updating flight information in near real time for Gulf routes.

Looking Ahead

The next few weeks are critical. Aviation authorities in India and across the Gulf are racing to restore full connectivity before the summer season — when demand from Kerala's expatriate community and leisure travelers typically peaks. Whether that timeline is achievable depends on how quickly the Middle East conflict stabilises and whether transit visa processing can clear the current backlog. For now, 40% is the floor — the direction is upward, but the pace remains uncertain.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which flights from India to the Gulf are currently operating? Around 40% of scheduled India–West Asia flights are currently operational, covering routes to Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah), Oman (Muscat), UAE (Dubai), Qatar (Doha), Kuwait, and Bahrain. Carriers operating resumed services include Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Saudia, Oman Air, Emirates, Qatar Airways, FlyDubai, and SpiceJet. Individual services are subject to government approvals and may change at short notice — check directly with your airline before traveling.

Why are India–Gulf flights still disrupted after partial resumption? Three factors are keeping full service from returning: regional airspace restrictions that have been in place since February 28, 2026; limited airport slot availability at Gulf destination airports operating at reduced capacity; and regulatory approval requirements from each Gulf government for individual flight operations. Delayed transit visa processing is a separate but compounding issue affecting Indian passengers specifically.

Which Kerala airports are handling Gulf flights right now? Kochi (Cochin International Airport), Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, and Kozhikode (Calicut International Airport) are all operating resumed and special-approval flights to Gulf destinations. Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram are the primary hubs. Flights from these airports to Muscat and Saudi Arabia are running on government-approved schedules that may differ from standard timetables.

Are flights from India to Saudi Arabia and Oman available for booking now? Yes, but with caveats. Approximately 40% of scheduled flights are operational, meaning not all frequencies or city pairs are available. Ticket prices have risen significantly due to reduced capacity against high demand. Travelers are advised to book early, confirm transit visa status before purchasing, and choose flexible fare options given the ongoing schedule uncertainty. Check airline websites or contact your carrier directly for current availability on your specific route.