UAE lifts airspace curbs; India-Gulf flights resume across region
Synopsis
The UAE has fully lifted its airspace restrictions, triggering a broader resumption of India-Gulf flights across the region. As Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Oman operate normally, Iran remains the critical outlier — with 2,504 Indians already evacuated overland and the Indian Embassy in Tehran on emergency footing.
Key Takeaways
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has announced full resumption of normal air navigation and lifted all temporary airspace restrictions.
Indian and UAE carriers have begun operating additional flights from the UAE to destinations across India.
Flights are operating from Saudi Arabia , Oman , Kuwait , and Bahrain ; Qatar's airspace remains partially open.
The Indian Embassy in Tehran has facilitated the departure of 2,504 Indian nationals from Iran via land border routes.
Iran's airspace is partially open only for cargo and chartered flights; MEA advises Indians to avoid travelling to Iran.
The MEA is operating round-the-clock helplines through embassies and consulates across the Gulf and West Asia region.
The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has announced the full resumption of normal air navigation operations within UAE airspace, lifting all temporary precautionary measures that had disrupted travel. As a result, Indian and UAE carriers have begun operating additional flights from the UAE to various destinations across India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) confirmed in a statement issued on Sunday, 3 May.
Flight Situation Across the Gulf
The overall flight situation across the Middle East continues to improve steadily. Flights are operating normally from airports in Saudi Arabia and Oman to multiple Indian destinations. Qatar's airspace remains partially open, with Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Qatar Airways operating flights from Doha to various Indian cities.
Both Kuwait and Bahrain have open airspace. Jazeera Airways and Kuwait Airways are operating flights from Kuwait to India, while Air India Express, IndiGo, and Gulf Air are operating flights from Bahrain to Indian destinations. Iraq's airspace is open for limited flight operations to regional destinations, which can be used for onward travel to India.
Iran and Israel: Restricted Operations
Iran's airspace remains partially open, but only for cargo and chartered flights. The MEA has advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and has urged those already present in the country to depart via land border routes, with support from the Indian Embassy in Tehran. So far, the Embassy has facilitated the movement of 2,504 Indian nationals out of Iran through land border crossings, according to the official statement.
Israel's airspace is open, and limited flight operations have resumed to regional destinations that can be used for onward travel to India. The situation in West Asia broadly remains under close watch by Indian diplomatic missions.
MEA Monitoring and Consular Support
The Ministry of External Affairs continues to monitor developments across the Gulf and West Asia region, with a focused effort on ensuring the safety, security, and welfare of the Indian community abroad. The Ministry is in regular contact with state governments and Union Territory administrations to share real-time information and coordinate relief efforts.
Indian embassies and consulates across the region are operating round-the-clock helplines to provide timely assistance to stranded or distressed nationals. They are also maintaining close contact with local governments to ensure smooth facilitation of travel and consular services.
Updated Advisories Being Issued
The MEA is issuing updated travel advisories covering local government guidelines, current flight and travel situations, consular services, and welfare measures being undertaken for the Indian community. Citizens in the region are being urged to stay connected with their nearest Indian mission and follow official guidance as the situation evolves.
With the UAE — home to one of the largest Indian diaspora communities in the world — now fully operational, the resumption of normal air traffic is expected to bring significant relief to thousands of Indians stranded or awaiting travel across the Gulf corridor.
Point of View
And every hour of disruption there carries outsized economic and humanitarian weight. The more telling detail, however, is Iran: with 2,504 Indians already evacuated overland and the MEA advising against all travel, Tehran is clearly the region's live pressure point. The MEA's coordination with state governments is a sound operational move, but the absence of a publicly stated timeline for full normalisation across Qatar and Iraq leaves a gap in public communication that official advisories have yet to fill.
NationPress
5 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Has UAE airspace fully reopened for flights to India?
Yes. The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority has announced the full resumption of normal air navigation operations and lifted all temporary precautionary measures. Indian and UAE carriers are now operating additional flights from the UAE to various Indian destinations.
Which Gulf countries currently have open airspace for flights to India?
As of the MEA's statement on 3 May, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain have open airspace with flights operating to India. Qatar's airspace is partially open, with Air India, Air India Express, IndiGo, and Qatar Airways operating from Doha.
What is the situation for Indians in Iran?
Iran's airspace is only partially open for cargo and chartered flights. The MEA has advised Indian nationals to avoid travelling to Iran and urged those already there to leave via land border routes. The Indian Embassy in Tehran has so far facilitated the exit of 2,504 Indian nationals through land border crossings.
How is the Indian government helping stranded citizens in the Gulf and West Asia?
The Ministry of External Affairs is monitoring the situation round-the-clock and is in regular contact with state governments and Union Territory administrations. Indian embassies and consulates across the region are operating 24-hour helplines and issuing updated travel advisories covering flights, consular services, and welfare measures.
Are flights from Iraq and Israel available for travel to India?
Iraq's airspace is open for limited flight operations to regional destinations, which can be used for onward connections to India. Israel's airspace is also open with limited regional flight operations available for onward travel to India.
