Air India Brings 149 Stranded Indians Home Safely

March 3, 2026

New Delhi, March 3, 2026: In a significant relief to Indian travelers stranded abroad, Air India successfully operated its first rescue flight from Dubai, bringing home 149 passengers affected by the ongoing Middle East crisis. The special flight marked a crucial step in efforts to repatriate Indian nationals after regional conflict led to widespread airspace closures and suspension of regular services.

The aircraft, operating as AI916D, landed safely at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi at approximately 10:58 am IST on Tuesday, marking the first such repatriation sortie by an Indian carrier since the disruptions began.

Mission AI916D: First Special Flight Home

The national carrier confirmed that Flight AI916D, bearing aircraft registration VT-EDC, carried all 149 passengers who had been unable to return to India due to the suspension of regular flights amid the crisis in the Gulf. The passengers included tourists, business travelers, students, and individuals visiting friends and family in India who had been stranded in Dubai due to airspace closures and cancelled services.

According to Air India, the safe return of these travellers was made possible through close coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Indian diplomatic missions in the UAE, and local authorities at Dubai International Airport. The airline highlighted that ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers and crew remained its top priority throughout the operation.

In addition to passengers, another special flight earlier in the day Flight AI918D brought back 143 Air India and Air India Express cockpit and cabin crew members who had also been waiting in Dubai. These crew repatriations helped relieve operational staffing pressures as the airline worked to restart services where possible.

Why Stranded Travelers Needed Assistance

The rescue flights came amid a broader disruption in global aviation linked to escalating tensions in the Middle East, which has seen airspace closures and the suspension of many commercial services through key transit hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha.

The disruptions followed military escalations in the region including missile and drone attacks and retaliatory strikes that forced authorities to halt or significantly limit flight operations for safety. As a result, thousands of travelers from India and other countries found themselves unable to board scheduled flights home and were compelled to seek alternative arrangements or await special repatriation services.

With normal service still limited across Middle East airspace, governments and airlines are working to resume limited flights and coordinate special operations to bring back citizens. Apart from Air India’s efforts, other carriers such as Emirates, flydubai, and Etihad have also announced plans to operate selected relief sorties from Dubai and Abu Dhabi at reduced capacity for stranded passengers.

Passengers Express Relief After Return

Those arriving in Delhi expressed deep relief and gratitude upon finally returning to Indian soil after days of uncertainty. Many passengers had reported anxiety as they awaited resumption of flight operations and feared prolonged stays in foreign countries without clear timelines for departures. The safe return of all 149 travellers was widely welcomed by family members and well-wishers back home.

As global aviation continues to adapt to shifting security conditions, Indian authorities and airlines are expected to continue such repatriation flights for other stranded citizens in the coming days prioritizing safety and cooperation with all relevant stakeholders.