Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express cancelled all flights to Dubai on Monday after operations at Dubai International Airport were suddenly suspended following a security incident linked to rising tensions in the Middle East.
Authorities halted all air traffic after a fire broke out when an Iranian missile reportedly struck an oil tanker near the airport. While no casualties have been reported so far, the incident triggered major travel disruptions across the region.
Confirming the cancellations, Air India issued a statement on social media saying that Dubai airport had temporarily suspended all flight operations.
“Dubai Flight Operations Suspended. Dubai International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations to and from the airport. As a result, Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Dubai have been cancelled for the day,” the airline said in its post.
The airline also assured passengers that support measures were in place to minimise inconvenience. Affected travellers have been given the option to rebook their journey for a future date without additional charges or cancel their tickets for a full refund.
Air India expressed regret over the disruption and said the cancellations were unavoidable due to the security situation and the airport shutdown.
Despite the disruption in Dubai, Air India Express said its temporary services to other Gulf destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah would continue as scheduled.
The airline added that its teams were working to assist stranded passengers and ensure that travellers affected by the disruption could return home safely at the earliest opportunity. Passengers were advised to contact Air India’s 24-hour helpline or use Air India Express digital platforms for assistance and booking modifications.
Travellers using Air India Express can also modify their bookings through the airline’s WhatsApp assistant by typing the keyword “#GulfCrisis” or by visiting the official website and mobile application.
Meanwhile, Emirates also issued a travel advisory asking passengers not to head to the airport after all operations at Dubai International Airport were suspended.
In a post on social media, Emirates informed travellers that all flights to and from Dubai had been temporarily halted following the security incident.
“All flights to and from Dubai have been temporarily suspended. Please do not go to the airport,” the airline said.
The carrier added that passenger safety remained its top priority and assured customers that updates would be provided as the situation develops. Emirates thanked passengers for their patience and understanding during the disruption, emphasising that the safety of passengers and crew would not be compromised.
