Air India and Air India Express Cancel Dubai Flights Following Sudden Airport Shutdown
NEW DELHI/DUBAI | March 16, 2026 — Air India and Air India Express have announced the immediate cancellation of all flight operations to and from Dubai International Airport for the day, following a temporary suspension of operations at the major global hub.
Citing unavoidable operational constraints at the airport, the carriers are working to manage the sudden disruption for hundreds of travelers.
While Dubai services are halted, Air India Express confirmed that its ad-hoc flight operations to and from nearby airports, including Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah, will continue as scheduled to provide alternative travel routes for those in the region.
To mitigate the impact on passengers, both airlines are offering full flexibility for affected guests at no additional cost. Travelers can choose to rebook for a future date or opt for a full refund on their cancelled bookings.
Air India has deployed its 24×7 customer support teams to assist stranded passengers, while Air India Express guests can manage their bookings digitally by using the hashtag #GulfCrisis on the airline’s WhatsApp AI assistant, Tia. The airline group reaffirmed its commitment to passenger safety and stated that teams are working tirelessly to ensure all stranded travelers are brought home at the earliest possible opportunity.