IndiGo has resumed operations to nine Gulf cities and select European destinations from March 12, after securing safety clearances for alternative flight paths that bypass restricted airspace. The restart restores India’s largest airline’s Middle East network following a week-long suspension caused by regional security concerns.
IndiGo Middle East Route Restoration Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Restart Date | March 12, 2026 |
| Gulf Cities | 9 destinations restored |
| European Routes | Limited services to Istanbul, Milan, Tbilisi |
| Fare Increase | 25-40% above pre-crisis levels |
The airline confirmed flights to Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuwait, Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh have resumed alongside limited European services. Safety clearances were obtained in coordination with India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation and foreign regulators after alternate routings avoiding no-fly zones were validated.
Indian travelers planning Gulf trips should review visa requirements for their destinations using our Dubai Visa Guide for UAE travel information.
Higher Costs Due to Route Changes
Travel consultants report fares on the first wave of restored flights are trading 25-40% higher than pre-crisis levels. The price increases reflect flight detours that add up to 90 minutes to flying time and elevated insurance premiums for airlines operating in the region.
IndiGo has warned that schedules remain “fluid” and urged passengers to check real-time status updates before traveling to airports. Customer relations teams are contacting travelers whose earlier bookings were cancelled to arrange re-accommodation or refunds.
Impact on Indian Business Travel
For Indian corporates, the restart is significant as IndiGo controls roughly 35% of capacity between India and the Gulf region. This capacity supports project logistics, IT services rotations, and the movement of seafarers between the two regions.
The airline’s A321 freighter division is also expected to resume pharmaceutical and perishable cargo services to Dubai and Jeddah, addressing cargo backlogs that accumulated in Delhi and Mumbai warehouses during the suspension.
Travelers can calculate updated visa processing costs using our Visa Fee Calculator to budget for their Gulf trips with the new flight pricing structure.
Source: IndiGo Airlines, India
FAQ
Q: Which Middle East cities can I now fly to with IndiGo? A: IndiGo has resumed flights to nine Gulf cities: Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuwait, Dammam, Jeddah, and Riyadh from March 12.
Q: How much more expensive are the tickets now? A: Fares on restored flights are trading 25-40% higher than pre-crisis levels due to longer flight routes and higher insurance premiums.
Q: Are flight schedules back to normal? A: No, IndiGo has warned that schedules remain fluid and passengers should check real-time status before heading to the airport.
Q: What about my cancelled booking during the suspension? A: IndiGo’s customer relations teams are contacting travelers whose earlier bookings were cancelled to arrange re-accommodation or refunds.
Q: Why were the flights suspended in the first place? A: Flights were paused for a week due to missile activity across West Asia that forced airlines to find alternate routings around no-fly zones.