India’s two state-owned carriers activated an emergency schedule on 7 March, operating 43 additional rotations linking Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah and Ras Al Khaimah with nine Indian metros. A further seven flights connected Muscat and Jeddah, providing nearly 9,000 seats for stranded passengers. Under the plan—approved jointly by India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and the UAE’s GCAA—priority boarding was given to travellers holding pre-existing bookings that had been cancelled earlier in the crisis. Both airlines waived re-issuance fees and fare differences for tickets issued up to 4 March, and opened a dedicated WhatsApp bot to handle change requests.
![Air India and Air India Express mount 43 special flights on 7 March to move UAE-based passengers]()
To help both returning employees and Gulf-based companies stay on top of rapidly changing entry regulations, VisaHQ offers a streamlined platform for securing or renewing UAE visas, with real-time tracking and expert support; learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
The lifeline operation is significant for Gulf employers. Indian nationals constitute roughly 27 % of the UAE’s workforce, and many had travelled home for school holidays just before hostilities escalated. Construction, healthcare and IT outsourcers faced immediate staffing gaps. By re-establishing two-way lift, companies can begin recalling key personnel and rotating project teams again. Mobility teams should note that some return segments are routing via alternative waypoints to bypass restricted airspace, adding two-to-three hours’ block time. Employers remain responsible for ensuring staff visas are valid for re-entry and that any medical-insurance lapses have been rectified before travel.
To help both returning employees and Gulf-based companies stay on top of rapidly changing entry regulations, VisaHQ offers a streamlined platform for securing or renewing UAE visas, with real-time tracking and expert support; learn more at https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/
The lifeline operation is significant for Gulf employers. Indian nationals constitute roughly 27 % of the UAE’s workforce, and many had travelled home for school holidays just before hostilities escalated. Construction, healthcare and IT outsourcers faced immediate staffing gaps. By re-establishing two-way lift, companies can begin recalling key personnel and rotating project teams again. Mobility teams should note that some return segments are routing via alternative waypoints to bypass restricted airspace, adding two-to-three hours’ block time. Employers remain responsible for ensuring staff visas are valid for re-entry and that any medical-insurance lapses have been rectified before travel.
