Tata-owned Air India announced late on 1 March 2026 that it is extending the suspension of services to Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah **through 2 March** in response to regional airspace closures. Flights to Israel, Qatar and Saudi Arabia are also grounded, and some Europe-bound routes are being rerouted.
The decision is significant for the UAE’s Indian expatriate community—the largest foreign workforce segment—and for Indian corporates operating in JAFZA, DIFC and Abu Dhabi Global Market. HR departments arranging visa-run rotations or short-notice project staffing now face at least a 48-hour delay.
![Air India cancels UAE flights until 2 March, complicating repatriations for Indian assignees]()
During this unexpected pause, travelers who need to review, amend or fast-track their UAE entry paperwork can turn to VisaHQ, whose online platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers real-time validity checks, extension assistance and document preparation in minutes—an invaluable resource for HR teams juggling redeployments and for professionals concerned about single-entry visas expiring while flights remain suspended.
Air India has offered full refunds or free date changes for tickets issued before 28 February with original travel dates up to 4 March, but warns that re-accommodation options are limited because Gulf carriers have paused code-shares. Staff stranded in India awaiting UAE entry should monitor visa validity; most single-entry visit visas require arrival within 60 days of issuance and will lapse if travel is deferred beyond that window.
Indian state governments have activated emergency operations centres to assist nationals stuck in transit hubs such as Bengaluru and Mumbai. Employers should liaise with these centres for repatriation support where necessary.
The decision is significant for the UAE’s Indian expatriate community—the largest foreign workforce segment—and for Indian corporates operating in JAFZA, DIFC and Abu Dhabi Global Market. HR departments arranging visa-run rotations or short-notice project staffing now face at least a 48-hour delay.
During this unexpected pause, travelers who need to review, amend or fast-track their UAE entry paperwork can turn to VisaHQ, whose online platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/) offers real-time validity checks, extension assistance and document preparation in minutes—an invaluable resource for HR teams juggling redeployments and for professionals concerned about single-entry visas expiring while flights remain suspended.
Air India has offered full refunds or free date changes for tickets issued before 28 February with original travel dates up to 4 March, but warns that re-accommodation options are limited because Gulf carriers have paused code-shares. Staff stranded in India awaiting UAE entry should monitor visa validity; most single-entry visit visas require arrival within 60 days of issuance and will lapse if travel is deferred beyond that window.
Indian state governments have activated emergency operations centres to assist nationals stuck in transit hubs such as Bengaluru and Mumbai. Employers should liaise with these centres for repatriation support where necessary.
