Air India Brings 149 Stranded Passengers Back After First Dubai Flight Since Crisis

Air India's inaugural repatriation flight from Dubai touched down safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) in New Delhi on March 3, 2026, bringing back 149 stranded Indian passengers along with eight operating crew members amid the escalating crisis in the Middle East. The flight, designated AI916D and operated by aircraft VT-EDC, landed at 10:58 am IST, marking the first arrival by an Indian carrier in the national capital that day under the prevailing regional tensions.

The operation comes as widespread airspace closures and flight disruptions have affected travel between the Gulf region and India, triggered by the ongoing conflict involving US, Israeli, and Iranian military actions that entered its fourth day. Many Indians in the UAE, including Dubai, found themselves stranded due to cancellations by major airlines, high airfares for alternative routes, and limited safe corridors. Some passengers reportedly undertook arduous road journeys to neighboring Oman to secure onward flights. Air India's special service provided critical relief, facilitating the homecoming of citizens caught in the uncertainty.

Air India described the flight as a dedicated effort for the "homecoming of passengers amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East." A spokesperson emphasized the airline's role in welcoming back the group, highlighting the safe execution despite operational challenges. This marks the initial phase of limited resumption of services on select India-Gulf routes, with other carriers like Etihad and Emirates also attempting partial operations, though many outbound flights from India to Dubai faced mid-air returns or cancellations due to persistent airspace restrictions.

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The incident underscores the broader impact of the Middle East conflict on global aviation and Indian expatriates, who form a significant workforce in the UAE. Thousands more remain affected across Gulf countries, with airlines recalibrating schedules daily based on safety assessments and airspace reopenings. Indian authorities and carriers have coordinated relief measures, including potential additional flights, to address the backlog of stranded nationals.

As operations gradually stabilize, this successful landing offers reassurance to families awaiting reunions and signals cautious progress toward normalcy in regional air travel. However, experts caution that full resumption depends on de-escalation in the conflict zone, with ongoing monitoring of security developments essential to prevent further disruptions. Air India and other operators continue to advise passengers to check updates before travel.

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