Air India flight AI916D, carrying passengers from Dubai, has safely landed at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi. The flight, operated by aircraft VT-EDC, transported a total of 149 passengers and concluded its journey without incident, ensuring a smooth arrival for all on board. This marks the first flight operated by an Indian carrier for the homecoming of passengers amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East.
“Earlier this morning, 143 cockpit and cabin crew members of Air India and Air India Express, who were stranded in Dubai, safely arrived back in Delhi on flight AI918D,” the airline stated.
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“Our Operations Control Centre and supporting teams have been working around the clock to facilitate these flights under extraordinary circumstances, ensuring seamless coordination throughout. We express our sincere gratitude to the Government of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the local authorities in Dubai for their continued cooperation in enabling these vital operations,” the airline added.
It further stated, “We remain deeply committed to the safety and wellbeing of our passengers and crew, which continues to be our highest priority. We will continue to monitor the situation closely and are in constant contact with Dubai Airports and other relevant authorities to operate additional flights at the earliest opportunity, as and when permissible.”
Operations to the US, Canada, and Europe Resume
Air India had suspended all flights to and from the Middle East for March 3 while resuming its scheduled operations to the US, Canada, Europe, and the UK. With multiple airspaces in the Middle East closed due to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, Indian airlines have canceled 1,117 international flights over three days, starting from February 28.
“In view of the continued closure of multiple airspaces over the Middle East, Air India has extended the temporary suspension of all its flights to and from the region until 23:59 IST on March 3, 2026,” the airline said in a post on X.
The airline also noted that it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East and has commenced scheduled operations to all its destinations in the US, Canada, Europe, and the UK. These flights are taking longer routes via Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt airspaces.
Meanwhile, Air India Express will restart flights to and from Muscat on March 3 (Tuesday), becoming the first Indian carrier to resume services to the region following the suspension due to the crisis.
