Dubai Restricts International Flights Until May 31, Indian Airlines Most Impacted
Dubai restricts foreign airlines to one daily flight until May 31, severely impacting Indian carriers’ operations.
The Dubai International Airport restrictions on foreign airline operations, triggered amid the ongoing Iran-related regional tensions, are expected to significantly impact Indian carriers, which had the highest planned flight capacity into the Gulf hub, according to industry data and airline communications.
The Dubai authorities have limited foreign airlines to just one daily round trip to Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) until May 31. The move follows broader disruptions in regional air traffic linked to the Iran crisis, with carriers informed through internal communications that the cap may be relaxed only if operational capacity improves.
The decision is expected to hit Indian airlines the hardest. According to aviation data cited from Cirium, India accounted for the largest share of passengers at DXB in 2025, with 11.9 million travellers. Major Indian carriers, including IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, had collectively planned hundreds of weekly flights to Dubai during April and May, making them the most exposed to the new restrictions.
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Industry bodies, including the Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), have urged the Indian government to intervene diplomatically, warning that the unequal application of flight caps could lead to substantial revenue losses. The FIA has also suggested that reciprocal measures on UAE carriers, including Emirates and flydubai, could be considered if the restrictions remain in place.
Airlines are already dealing with operational challenges, including higher fuel costs and longer flight routes caused by the continued ban on using Pakistani airspace. These factors have added financial pressure on Indian carriers operating on long-haul and Gulf routes, further complicating recovery from post-pandemic losses.
IndiGo has described the situation as significantly constraining its operations, noting that a large portion of its planned capacity and aircraft utilisation for the Dubai route remains underused. Meanwhile, several global carriers such as Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, and British Airways have also scaled back or suspended services to Dubai during the restriction period.
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