Air India, IndiGo to resume Qatar flights as Gulf airspace opens
Synopsis
With Qatar's airspace partially reopening and over 12.96 lakh passengers already moved to India since February, Air India and IndiGo are set to resume Qatar operations — a significant step toward normalising one of the busiest air corridors for the Indian diaspora in the Gulf.
Key Takeaways
Air India and IndiGo are planning to resume flights from Qatar to India soon, per the MEA on 27 April .
Qatar Airways is already operating flights to India with Qatar's airspace partially open.
Around 105 flights were expected on Monday between the UAE and India.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the exit of 2,445 Indian nationals via land borders from Iran.
Since 28 February , approximately 12,96,000 passengers have travelled from the region to India.
Indian Missions are operating round-the-clock helplines across the Gulf region.
Air India and IndiGo are planning to resume flight operations from Qatar to India soon, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Monday, 27 April, as the overall flight situation across the Gulf region continues to improve. The announcement comes with Qatar's airspace now partially open, with Qatar Airways already operating flights to multiple Indian destinations.
Current Flight Status Across the Gulf
Around 105 flights were expected on Monday between the UAE and India, as airlines continue to operate limited commercial services from Dubai and Abu Dhabi on operational and safety considerations. Flights from airports across Saudi Arabia and Oman to Indian destinations are also continuing without disruption.
Kuwait's airspace is open, with Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways having resumed limited flight operations to India. Bahrain's airspace is similarly open, with Gulf Air operating flights from Bahrain to various Indian destinations. Iraq's airspace is open with limited regional operations that can be used for onward travel to India.
Iran and Israel: Partial Openings With Caution
Iran's airspace is partially open for cargo and chartered flights only. However, the MEA has advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran, and those already present in the country are urged to leave via land border routes with support from the Indian embassy. So far, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the movement of 2,445 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border crossings.
Israel's airspace is open, and limited flight operations have resumed to destinations in the region, which can be used for onward connections to India.
Scale of Evacuation and Passenger Movement
Since 28 February, approximately 12,96,000 passengers have travelled from the Gulf and Middle East region to India — underscoring the scale of the ongoing movement. Indian Missions and Posts across the region continue to operate round-the-clock helplines and are proactively assisting Indian nationals in coordination with local governments.
Government Response and Ongoing Support
Indian Missions remain actively engaged with the Indian community, including various associations, professional groups, Indian companies, and other stakeholders across the region. Updated advisories are being issued regularly, covering local government guidelines, flight and travel situations, consular services, and welfare measures, the MEA statement added. As more airspaces reopen and airlines scale up capacity, the situation is expected to normalise further in the coming days.
Point of View
But the sheer scale — nearly 13 lakh passengers moved since late February — reveals how severely disrupted this corridor became. The India-Gulf air link is not a luxury route; it is the lifeline of millions of blue-collar and professional workers whose remittances prop up entire home economies. The MEA's round-the-clock helpline posture is commendable, but the Iran situation deserves closer attention: 2,445 evacuees via land border is a logistically complex operation that rarely gets the headline it warrants. As normalcy returns to the skies, the government must also assess whether India's airline capacity on Gulf routes is structurally sufficient to handle the next disruption.
NationPress
1 May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When will Air India and IndiGo resume flights from Qatar to India?
Air India and IndiGo are planning to resume Qatar-India flight operations soon, according to an MEA announcement on 27 April. No specific date has been confirmed yet, but Qatar's airspace is already partially open with Qatar Airways currently operating flights to India.
Which Gulf airlines are currently flying to India?
Qatar Airways, Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, and Gulf Air are among the airlines currently operating limited flights to India from Qatar, Kuwait, and Bahrain respectively. UAE carriers are also operating around 105 flights daily between Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and India.
Is it safe to travel to Iran right now?
No. The MEA has advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran, as the country's airspace is only partially open for cargo and chartered flights. Indians already in Iran are urged to leave via land border routes with assistance from the Indian Embassy in Tehran.
How many Indian nationals have been helped out of Iran?
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the movement of 2,445 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border routes, according to the MEA statement issued on 27 April.
How many passengers have travelled from the Gulf to India since February?
Since 28 February, approximately 12,96,000 passengers have travelled from the Gulf and Middle East region to India, according to MEA data, reflecting the massive scale of passenger movement during the period of airspace disruptions.
