Air India Takes to the Skies Again: Flights to Middle East Resume as Airspaces Reopen
After a brief hiatus, Air India is set to resume its flight operations to the Middle East, with most services expected to be fully reinstated from June 25. This comes as a welcome relief to passengers, especially those traveling on the busy India-UAE route, as airspaces in the region gradually reopen following a temporary closure.
Air India has announced that it will "progressively resume flights to the Middle East from today (June 24)", with most operations resuming from June 25. The airline has also confirmed that flights to and from Europe, previously cancelled, are being reinstated from today, while services to and from the East Coast of the US and Canada will resume at the earliest opportunity. While normal operations are being restored, Air India has cautioned that some flights may still face delays or cancellations due to extended flight times and ongoing rerouting. The resumption of flights is a significant development, given the large Indian diaspora living in the UAE and the critical nature of the India-UAE flight route, which is one of the busiest in the world. The airline's commitment to passenger safety and schedule recovery is a reassuring sign for travelers, who can expect a return to normalcy in the coming days.
The temporary closure of airspaces in the Middle East was triggered by a series of events, including an attack by Iran on Qatar's Al Udeid US military base in Doha, which led to widespread disruptions in commercial aviation across the region and globally. The UAE and Saudi Arabia strongly condemned the Iranian attack, expressing full solidarity with Qatar and warning that such acts undermine regional stability and violate international law. In response to the rapidly changing security landscape, airlines and governments were forced to adapt, with many flights being rerouted or cancelled altogether. Air India, too, had ceased all operations to the Middle East on June 23, citing safety concerns. However, with airspaces gradually reopening, the airline is now confident of resuming its operations to the region.
The resumption of Air India's flights to the Middle East is a welcome development, marking a return to normalcy in the region's aviation sector. As airspaces continue to reopen, passengers can expect a smoother travel experience, with minimal disruptions to their journeys. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the fragility of global air travel and the need for airlines, governments, and international organizations to remain vigilant and responsive to emerging security threats. With the situation still evolving, one thing is clear – the world is watching, and the skies will be filled with the sound of jet engines once again.