Situation is Very Normal in Dubai, Say Passengers Arriving in India Amid Missile Alerts

Passengers arriving from Dubai at airports across India on Saturday described a controlled situation in the United Arab Emirates despite missile alerts, expressing relief at returning home safely and thanking authorities for evacuation and travel assistance amid the ongoing West Asia crisis.

At Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi, a returnee said the situation on the ground in Dubai remained largely normal despite periodic sirens and advisories urging residents to remain indoors unless necessary.

"The missiles are being intercepted and we used to receive emergency alerts. We were advised to stay safe and stay indoors. And keep one bag packed, ready with all essentials," another passenger said.

What Did Passengers Arriving in Mumbai Say About the Situation in Dubai?

At Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, a passenger said authorities in Dubai were managing the situation effectively and credited the Maharashtra government for helping arrange the flight back to India.

"The Government of Dubai is handling the situation very well. The state government helped me in arranging the flight," the passenger said.

Another passenger arriving in Mumbai said the situation in Dubai remained controlled despite witnessing missile activity.

"The situation in Dubai is controlled. I saw missiles going up and down near me, but nothing of it actually affected the civilians," the passenger said.

"Even the university was very good with the students. They kept asking us about our welfare and if we were okay, and I think the UAE is one of the safest countries in the way they handled this situation," the passenger added.

At Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, passengers expressed relief at returning home and thanked authorities for facilitating their travel back to India.

"I am very happy to be back in India and I thank the government," one passenger said.

How Is the West Asia Crisis Affecting Flights Between India and Dubai?

"There is no big problem in Dubai, but the flights are getting rescheduled. I am feeling very happy to be back in India," another passenger added.

The accounts collectively reflect a pattern of relative calm in Dubai amid ongoing regional tensions, with authorities maintaining safety protocols and issuing timely advisories to residents and visitors.

Air travel across the region continues to face disruptions due to the crisis. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (India) said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia that is affecting air travel between India and the region.

IndiGo announced that it would operate flights to five destinations in West Asia on Saturday amid the tense situation.

According to the airline's travel advisory, flights will operate to Dubai International Airport, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah International Airport, RAF Akrotiri Airport and Fujairah International Airport.

Return flights from these cities to Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad are also being operated to facilitate the return of Indian nationals.

"To support customers during this time, subject to prevailing safety conditions and applicable regulatory approvals, IndiGo will be operating flights to five destinations in the Middle East on March 7, 2026," the airline said in its advisory.

"Our teams remain by your side, doing everything possible to help you continue your journey, while keeping the safety and well-being of our customers and crew at the heart of every decision we make," the advisory added.

Why Is Qatar Airways Operating Limited Repatriation Flights From Hamad International Airport?

Qatar Airways said it would operate limited repatriation flights on March 7 departing from Hamad International Airport following temporary authorization from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority, while scheduled flight operations remain suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

According to the airline, relief flights will operate to London (LHR), Paris (CDG), Madrid (MAD), Rome (FCO) and Frankfurt (FRA) after confirmation of a safe operating corridor.

Priority on these flights was given to stranded passengers with families, elderly passengers, and those with urgent medical and compassionate travel needs.

Each flight was pre-allocated by Qatar Airways directly to such affected passengers.

Qatar Airways emphasized that these flights do not constitute a confirmation of the resumption of scheduled commercial operations.

"Passengers are kindly requested not to proceed to the airport unless they have already received an official notification from Qatar Airways for these flights. Qatar Airways has contacted affected passengers directly with their assigned flight details, travel arrangements and next steps," the airline stated.

The airline said it is working around the clock to organize additional relief flights where operationally possible and will share further updates as soon as they are confirmed.

Qatar Airways will resume full scheduled operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe full reopening of Qatari airspace by the relevant authorities. A further update will be provided on March 8 by 09:00 Doha time (06:00 UTC).

Passengers have been advised to ensure their contact details are up to date so the airline can reach them with flight information and instructions. Details can be updated through the Qatar Airways website and the Qatar Airways app.

What Travel Options Are Available for Qatar Airways Passengers With Confirmed Bookings?

Passengers with confirmed bookings between February 28 and March 15, 2026, are eligible for complimentary date changes of up to 14 days from the original travel date, or a refund of the unused value of their ticket.

"The safety and well-being of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority during this period of disruption. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience caused by the current situation, which is beyond our control, and thank our passengers for their patience and understanding," Qatar Airways stated.

Flight disruptions across the region continue amid the ongoing West Asia crisis, which has resulted in airspace closures and a widespread impact on aviation operations.

(With inputs from ANI)