Dubai-Delhi service becomes first international arrival in Delhi as West Asia tensions ease slightly
March 3, 2026: Air India on Tuesday received its first international arrival of the day at Indira Gandhi International Airport, as flight operations slowly resumed amid ongoing tensions in West Asia. The airline’s Dubai-Delhi service, AI916D, landed safely with 149 passengers and eight crew members on board, marking the first Indian carrier to reach the national capital after days of airspace disruptions. In a post on X, Air India confirmed the arrival and thanked authorities for facilitating the operation despite the challenging circumstances.
The airline expressed gratitude to the Government of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and local authorities in Dubai for their coordination. Flight schedules had been impacted after military developments in the Middle East led to cancellations and delays. Many passengers had been awaiting the resumption of services following airspace restrictions imposed in the wake of recent strikes and retaliatory actions in the region.
Meanwhile, Dubai Airports announced a limited restart of operations from March 2 evening at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). Authorities advised travellers to head to the airport only after receiving confirmation from their airlines. While services are gradually resuming, airlines and airport officials continue to closely monitor the situation and have urged passengers to stay updated before planning their journeys.