The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is closely monitoring the air travel situation in West Asia and its impact on flights between India and the region. Indian carriers have resumed flight operations to and from Riyadh starting March 12, 2026. On the first day of resumption, three services to Mumbai (by Air India and IndiGo) and one service to Calicut (by Air India Express) were operated, re-establishing air connectivity with Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Between February 28 and March 11, 2026, a total of 1,50,457 passengers traveled from Gulf countries to India. On March 12, 2026, Indian carriers had scheduled 57 inbound flights from various West Asian cities, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Jeddah, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh, and Sharjah, contingent on operational feasibility and prevailing conditions.
MoCA is coordinating with airlines and stakeholders to ensure smooth passenger movement and is monitoring airfares to prevent undue surges. Passengers are advised to contact their airlines for the latest flight schedule updates. The Ministry will continue to review the situation and provide further information as needed.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The government ministry responsible for overseeing aviation in India and the primary subject of the policy.
Riyadh: A key city in Saudi Arabia, central to the resumption of air travel discussed in the policy.
West Asia: The geographical region where the evolving situation is impacting air travel.
Indian carriers: The airlines operating flights between India and the West Asia region, directly affected by the policy.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
MoCA closely monitoring air travel situation in
West Asia: Indian carriers resume flights to
Riyadh
Posted On: 12 MAR 2026 8:31PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the West Asia region and its
impact on air travel between India and countries in the region. Airlines are undertaking necessary
operational adjustments in view of the prevailing conditions to ensure passenger safety and the orderly
conduct of flight operations.
In this context, flight operations by Indian carriers to/from Riyadh have resumed from 12 March 2026. On
the first day of resumption, three services are being operated to Mumbai by Air India and IndiGo, and one
service to Calicut by Air India Express, thereby restoring important air connectivity between India and
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
During the period 28 February to 11 March 2026, a total of 1,50,457 air passengers travelled from the
Gulf countries to India.
Further, Indian carriers have scheduled 57 inbound flights on 12 March 2026 from various cities in the
West Asia, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Jeddah, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Sharjah,
subject to operational feasibility and prevailing conditions.
The Ministry is maintaining close coordination with airlines and other concerned stakeholders to facilitate
smooth passenger movement. Airfares are also being closely monitored to ensure that ticket prices remain
reasonable and that there is no undue surge during this period.
Passengers are advised to remain in contact with their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding
flight schedules and travel arrangements.
The Ministry will continue to review the situation and provide further updates as necessary.
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Divyanshu Kumar
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