Representative ImageGulf carriers are progressively restoring links to Indian cities after the disruption triggered by the US-Israel-Iran conflict on 28 February 2026, reopening key routes for the travel trade across major hub markets.
Middle East airlines are gradually rebuilding connectivity to India following the operational shock caused by the regional conflict that began on 28 February 2026, with major Gulf carriers prioritising core routes that serve strong VFR, business and onward long-haul demand.
For the travel trade, the recovery has so far been defined by phased restoration rather than full normalisation, as airlines resume services to commercially important Indian gateways while retaining flexibility amid continued airspace and operational uncertainty.
Among the first to move was Etihad Airways, which announced a limited commercial schedule from 6 March to 19 March covering Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kolkata, Kozhikode, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. The restart marked an early effort by the Abu Dhabi-based carrier to restore critical India-UAE traffic flows while wider network operations remained under review.
Emirates also resumed India services in stages, initially reopening bookings from Dubai to Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram. Subsequent reports indicated the airline was working towards a broader restoration of its India network, reinforcing Dubai’s role as a key hub for both point-to-point and onward international traffic.
Its return is particularly significant for the trade, given Emirates’ role in carrying Indian travellers to Europe, the Americas and other long-haul markets, while also supporting premium, leisure and corporate demand through Dubai.
Qatar Airways resumed limited India operations later in the recovery cycle, taking a more measured approach to network restoration. By mid-to-late March, flights had resumed to Ahmedabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Mumbai and Thiruvananthapuram, with the airline also maintaining rebooking and refund flexibility for affected passengers.
For travel sellers, Qatar’s re-entry is another important step in reconnecting India with key global markets, especially for agencies and corporate planners that rely on Doha as a major transfer point for Europe, Africa and North America. Outside the full-service segment, Air Arabia also featured in the recovery picture with temporary Sharjah-Nagpur operations on selected dates, although regular scheduled services had yet to fully resume. The move highlights how some carriers are using interim or demand-led capacity deployment before committing to a full return on suspended routes.
At this stage, the trade takeaway is clear: this is a story of restoration, not expansion. Based on available airline statements and media reports, Middle East carriers are focused on reinstating suspended India services and rebuilding frequencies on established routes, rather than launching new long-term connections during the disruption period.
As schedules continue to stabilise, the reopening of these India links offers a positive signal for agents, operators and airline partners tracking one of Asia’s most important regional air corridors.
