Air India is preparing to fully restore its Middle East flight network from the upcoming winter schedule, signalling renewed confidence in one of the world’s busiest aviation corridors following months of disruption caused by geopolitical tensions.
The announcement comes after airlines across the region were forced to suspend, reroute or reduce services due to military conflict and temporary airspace closures that affected operations throughout the Gulf. As conditions continue to stabilise, Air India says most of the affected flights are already back on sale, with the airline expecting to maintain its planned schedule if the improving security situation continues.
Speaking to NDTV, Air India Chief Commercial and Transformation Officer and Air India Express Chairman Nipun Aggarwal said the airline’s greatest challenge during the crisis was not a decline in passenger demand but the inability to operate safely through restricted airspace.
“The demand here is very strong because of the large Indian diaspora. As long as airports are open, airspace is available, and we can operate safely, we will continue deploying capacity. Our biggest constraint has been the ability to fly, not passenger demand,” Aggarwal said.
The comments underscore the resilience of Middle East travel demand, particularly among business travellers, migrant workers and families whose journeys depend on reliable air connectivity between India and the Gulf.
For the wider aviation industry, the restoration of services represents another encouraging sign that international travel is gradually returning to normal following weeks of uncertainty. During the height of the tensions, several global airlines adjusted schedules, avoided conflict zones and implemented longer flight routings to prioritise passenger safety.
Air India says it continues to monitor the evolving geopolitical environment in close coordination with airports and local authorities before making operational decisions.
“This is a very dynamic situation. We continuously assess the risks and adapt accordingly. As long as we can operate safely, we will continue to deploy capacity,” Aggarwal noted.
Although flight operations are recovering, airlines continue to face economic challenges arising from the conflict. Rising aviation turbine fuel (ATF) prices remain a concern, increasing operating costs across the industry.
Aggarwal acknowledged that airlines have limited control over such external factors.
“ATF prices are a market reality driven by geopolitical factors that are beyond our control. We can redeploy the network, manage capacity and do our best operationally, but beyond a point there is only so much one can do,” he said.
Beyond restoring its network, Air India is also pressing ahead with one of the aviation industry’s largest fleet expansion programmes. The airline group expects to receive between 60 and 70 new aircraft every year over the next seven to eight years as deliveries from its order of nearly 600 aircraft accelerate.
Over the next 12 to 18 months alone, the airline anticipates adding approximately 10 to 15 wide-body aircraft alongside 40 to 50 narrow-body jets, strengthening both domestic and international operations.
Fleet modernisation is also progressing rapidly. Air India’s narrow-body aircraft have already received upgraded cabins, while retrofitting of the airline’s long-haul Boeing 787 Dreamliners and Boeing 777 fleet is underway. The improvements are expected to significantly enhance passenger comfort and onboard experience over the coming year.
The United Arab Emirates remains the airline group’s single most important international market. According to Aggarwal, almost two-thirds of Air India Group’s revenue comes from international operations, with the Middle East accounting for nearly half of that business. The UAE alone contributes roughly a quarter of the airline group’s total operations, highlighting its strategic importance.
Air India Express is also continuing its rapid expansion. Having grown from just 25 aircraft four years ago to a fleet of more than 100 today, the low-cost carrier plans to double its fleet over the next five years while extending services beyond its traditional South India-Gulf network to include northern, central, western and eastern Indian cities.
For travellers and the broader aviation sector, Air India’s latest announcement reflects growing optimism that one of the world’s most strategically important air corridors is steadily recovering. While airlines remain cautious and continue to monitor regional security developments, the return of full Middle East operations offers renewed confidence for passengers, travel agents and businesses that rely heavily on uninterrupted connectivity between Asia and the Gulf.
Source:ndtv.com
