✈️ Middle East Flight Status Today (March 18): Flights Resume Slowly, Air India Adds 36 Services

Quick Summary

• What: Flights slowly resuming in Middle East after disruptions
• Who: Air India, Akasa Air, Gulf airlines
• Where: UAE, Saudi Arabia, global international routes
• When: March 18, 2026 (latest update)
• Impact: Limited operations, schedule changes continue
• Key Update: Air India adds 36 extra international flights (March 19–28)
  

Real Travel Story (Experience-First Opening)

A Hyderabad-based worker waiting to return from Dubai refreshed his flight status 10 times in one day. First “cancelled,” then “rescheduled,” then finally “confirmed.”

This is the reality for thousands of travelers today.

As per the latest Middle East flight status today, airlines are slowly restarting services but uncertainty still remains.

What’s Happening Right Now?

Flight operations across the Middle East are gradually resuming after major disruptions caused by regional tensions.

• Gulf airlines have started limited operations
• Airspace is reopening in phases
• Flights are still subject to sudden changes

👉 Passengers are strongly advised to check flight status before leaving for the airport

🇮🇳 Air India Adds 36 Flights (Major Relief)

In response to rising demand, Air India has announced:

• 36 additional international flights
• Travel window: March 19 to March 28
• Key routes include:
  • London Heathrow
  • Frankfurt
  • Toronto
  • Zurich

👉 This is a big relief for stranded passengers and those planning urgent travel.

Akasa Air Adjusts Routes

Akasa Air is taking a cautious approach:

• Restarting select routes after safety checks
• Continuing flights:
  • Jeddah → Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi, Ahmedabad
• New route:
  • Riyadh → Mumbai (from March 18)
• Some routes still temporarily suspended

👉 Airlines are prioritizing passenger safety over full operations

Why Flights Were Disrupted

The current situation is linked to:

• Ongoing tensions in the Middle East
• Airspace closures in key regions
• Safety concerns for international routes

👉 Thousands of flights were cancelled globally, affecting passengers across India and abroad

Who It Affects the Most

NRI Travelers

• People travelling between India and Gulf countries
• Workers returning home or going back to jobs
  

Festival Travelers

• Passengers planning travel for Ramadan & upcoming Eid
  

Business Travelers

• Frequent flyers facing delays and uncertainty
  
  

When Will Things Normalize?

• Partial operations started: March 18, 2026
• Additional flights begin: March 19 onwards
• Full normalization: Still uncertain

👉 Airlines are restoring services step-by-step based on safety conditions

Highlights

• Flights slowly resuming in UAE & Gulf
• Air India adds 36 extra flights
• Akasa Air restores select routes
• Many routes still limited or suspended
• Travelers advised to check real-time updates
  
  

Activities / What Travelers Should Do

Before You Travel

• Check airline website or app for live status
• Avoid last-minute airport arrival without confirmation

Smart Booking Tip

• Choose flexible tickets (free reschedule/refund)

Keep Backup Plan

• Look for alternative routes (Europe/Asia connections)

FlipMyTravel Expert Insight

At FlipMyTravel, we are seeing a sharp increase in:

• Last-minute flight searches
• Flexible travel demand
• Alternative route planning

👉 Pro Tip: Always compare multiple airlines before booking during such disruptions.

Official Advisory

Airlines have clearly advised passengers to:

➡️ “Check flight status before travelling” due to frequent schedule changes

Final Take

Flights are coming back but slowly. If you’re planning to travel to or from the Middle East right now, flexibility is your biggest advantage. Because in today’s travel scenario, confirmed ticket ≠ confirmed journey.