India air traffic dips in April: domestic down 4%, international falls 20%
Synopsis
India's international air traffic plunged 20% in April as the Middle East conflict grounded or rerouted flights across key Gulf corridors. With UAE airspace now fully restored and 2,504 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran via land, the aviation sector is watching closely to see whether May brings a meaningful rebound.
Key Takeaways
Domestic air traffic fell to 140.8 lakh passengers in April — a 4% decline year-on-year and month-on-month.
International air traffic dropped 20% compared to March, falling to 28.3 lakh passengers .
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has fully restored normal air navigation operations and lifted all temporary restrictions.
Qatar and Iran airspace remain partially open; Kuwait , Bahrain , and Israel airspace are open with limited or normal operations.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the exit of 2,504 Indian nationals from Iran via land border routes.
The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran .
India's air traffic registered a sharp sequential slowdown in April for both domestic and international passengers, according to data compiled by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The downturn is directly linked to the Middle East conflict, which triggered widespread disruptions to international flight operations across the region.
Domestic and International Traffic Numbers
Domestic air traffic stood at 140.8 lakh passengers in April, reflecting a 4 per cent decline both year-on-year and month-on-month. International traffic saw a sharper contraction, falling 20 per cent compared to March, with the number of air passengers dropping to 28.3 lakh. The steeper fall in international numbers underscores the outsized impact of Middle East airspace disruptions on India-bound and India-origin routes.
Middle East Airspace: Current Status
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced the full resumption of normal air navigation operations within UAE airspace and the lifting of all temporary precautionary measures on Saturday. Following this, Indian carriers and UAE airlines have begun operating an increased number of flights between the UAE and various Indian destinations, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of External Affairs.
Flights continue to operate from airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to India. Qatar airspace remains partially open, with Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Qatar Airways operating flights from Doha to Indian destinations. Kuwait and Bahrain airspace are both open, with Jazeera Airways, Kuwait Airways, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Gulf Air operating services to India.
Iraq airspace is open for limited flight operations to regional destinations, which can be used for onward travel to India. Iran airspace is partially open for cargo and chartered flights only.
Iran: Advisory Issued for Indian Nationals
The Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and urged those already present to leave via land border routes with the support of the Indian Embassy in Tehran. So far, the Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the movement of 2,504 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border crossings, according to the official statement.
Israel and Broader Regional Outlook
Israel airspace is open, and limited flight operations have resumed to regional destinations, which can be used for onward travel to India. The overall flight situation across the Middle East continues to improve, with additional services being progressively restored to various Indian destinations. However, the pace of full normalisation remains uncertain as conditions on the ground continue to evolve.
Point of View
Given the size of the Indian diaspora in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar. The speed of UAE's airspace restoration is encouraging, but Iran's partial closure and the ongoing advisory for Indian nationals there reveal how quickly a regional conflict can sever critical people-movement corridors. The Ministry of Civil Aviation's data also raises a quieter question: with domestic traffic also down 4% year-on-year, are there structural demand pressures — high fares, capacity constraints — that the Middle East crisis is merely amplifying?
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did India's air traffic fall in April 2025?
India's air traffic fell in April 2025 primarily due to disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict, which led to airspace closures or restrictions across several Gulf countries. Domestic traffic fell 4% year-on-year to 140.8 lakh passengers, while international traffic dropped 20% compared to March to 28.3 lakh passengers.
Which Middle East airspaces are currently open for flights to India?
As of the latest update, UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Israel airspaces are open, with varying levels of flight operations to India. Qatar and Iran airspaces are partially open, with Iran restricted largely to cargo and chartered flights.
What is the status of Indian nationals in Iran?
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the exit of 2,504 Indian nationals from Iran via land border routes. The Ministry of External Affairs has advised all Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and urged those already there to leave using land border crossings with embassy support.
Has UAE airspace fully reopened for flights to India?
Yes. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority announced the full resumption of normal air navigation operations and the lifting of all temporary precautionary measures. Indian and UAE carriers have since resumed and increased flights between the UAE and Indian destinations.
Which airlines are operating flights from the Gulf to India?
Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo are operating from Qatar and Bahrain. Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways are operating from Kuwait. Gulf Air is operating from Bahrain. The overall situation continues to improve as more services are progressively restored.
