06/03/2026
Share:
06/03/2026
Share:
NEW DELHI, Mar 6: India has been actively evacuating its citizens from Gulf countries amid major airspace disruptions caused by escalating conflict in the Middle East, with thousands of Indians now safely back home through a series of special and non‑scheduled flights.
According to official and media reports, nearly 7,000 Indian nationals stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have already been flown back to India over the past three days in a focused repatriation effort launched by the Government of India. These flights have operated from multiple UAE cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, and Fujairah.
In addition to the large‑scale movements from the UAE, around 200 Indian citizens were evacuated from Jeddah in Saudi Arabia aboard a special relief flight, landing safely in India after being stranded due to ongoing airspace closures tied to regional tensions.
Returnees recount emotional scenes upon reaching Indian soil, with families embracing loved ones and expressing gratitude for the evacuation operations. Indian missions across the Gulf have been working round‑the‑clock, coordinating with airlines and local authorities to facilitate departures while regular flight schedules remain disrupted.
While exact figures for Indians evacuated through alternative hubs such as Muscat in Oman are not yet fully compiled, additional special services and resumed flights via both Jeddah and Muscat are helping stranded Indians return.
The Government has also issued advisories urging Indian nationals in the UAE and other Gulf states to remain vigilant, adhere to local safety guidelines, and stay informed through official embassy channels as the situation evolves.
Meanwhile, Air India and Air India Express are continuing to operate scheduled flights to/from Jeddah and Muscat assessed safe for operations, the airlines said.
Additional non-scheduled flights have been planned to operate to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al-Khaimah and Sharjah on March 7, to fly the stranded passengers back to India.
Air India's services to Europe and North America are operating normally through safe alternative routings.
