Gulf News reports that Air India and Air India Express mounted an unprecedented airlift on 9 March, operating 24 scheduled services and 32 ad-hoc flights from five UAE airports to multiple Indian gateways. The move follows days of flight cancellations prompted by regional airspace closures and aims to repatriate thousands of stranded business and leisure travellers before visa-grace periods expire.
Dubai International alone handled ten extra rotations to Mumbai and Delhi, while Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al-Khaimah each saw a mix of Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus 320neo equipment. Seats were offered at capped fares agreed with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation to discourage profiteering.
Travellers whose UAE stay is unexpectedly prolonged can simplify any required visa extensions through VisaHQ’s digital platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/), which provides quick online applications, real-time tracking and expert support—particularly helpful for those racing against expiring grace periods while awaiting re-booked flights.
![Air India group schedules 56 special flights on 9 March to clear UAE passenger backlog]()
Air India advised ticket-holders that re-booking charges on cancelled March flights would be waived, and full refunds remain available via its 24×7 contact centre. The carrier has also enabled WhatsApp re-booking through its AI assistant "Tia," a first for the airline.
For mobility teams relocating Indian nationals, the expanded schedule provides urgently needed lift, but capacity constraints persist on onward connections to secondary Indian cities because of crew-duty-time limits and aircraft rotation challenges. Employers are urged to stagger travel dates where possible.
Indian consular officials in Dubai praised UAE authorities for fast-tracking airport slot approvals and immigration clearances, noting that further relief flights could be authorised if demand remains high.
Dubai International alone handled ten extra rotations to Mumbai and Delhi, while Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and Ras Al-Khaimah each saw a mix of Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus 320neo equipment. Seats were offered at capped fares agreed with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation to discourage profiteering.
Travellers whose UAE stay is unexpectedly prolonged can simplify any required visa extensions through VisaHQ’s digital platform (https://www.visahq.com/united-arab-emirates/), which provides quick online applications, real-time tracking and expert support—particularly helpful for those racing against expiring grace periods while awaiting re-booked flights.
Air India advised ticket-holders that re-booking charges on cancelled March flights would be waived, and full refunds remain available via its 24×7 contact centre. The carrier has also enabled WhatsApp re-booking through its AI assistant "Tia," a first for the airline.
For mobility teams relocating Indian nationals, the expanded schedule provides urgently needed lift, but capacity constraints persist on onward connections to secondary Indian cities because of crew-duty-time limits and aircraft rotation challenges. Employers are urged to stagger travel dates where possible.
Indian consular officials in Dubai praised UAE authorities for fast-tracking airport slot approvals and immigration clearances, noting that further relief flights could be authorised if demand remains high.
