Iran–US War Impact on India: Air India Express to resume Muscat flights from March 3

Amid escalating tensions following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, the ripple effects of the Iran–US conflict are being felt sharply in India. From flight disruptions and evacuation appeals to heightened security and diplomatic outreach, authorities are racing to safeguard Indian nationals across West Asia. In a key relief measure, Air India Express has announced the resumption of flights to Muscat starting March 3, even as services to several other Gulf destinations remain suspended.

The intensifying Iran–US conflict has triggered widespread disruptions across West Asia, with significant implications for India, which has a large expatriate population in the region. As hostilities escalated following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, air travel, energy markets, and security conditions across multiple countries have been severely affected.

In a partial relief for stranded passengers, Air India Express announced on Monday that it will resume flight operations to and from Muscat starting March 3, 2026. The airline will operate scheduled services connecting Muscat with Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai and Tiruchirappalli. According to the airline, the first flight from Muscat will depart for Tiruchirappalli at 10:25 am local time on March 3.

However, flight operations to other key Gulf destinations — including Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the UAE — will remain suspended until at least 11:59 pm IST on March 3, citing regional security concerns and airspace restrictions. Other Indian carriers such as IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India have also cancelled or rerouted several services, while offering waivers, refunds and rebooking options to affected passengers.

The situation has sparked anxiety among families of Indian workers stranded across the Gulf. Reports indicate that migrant workers from Odisha, Kerala, Punjab, Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh are among those unable to return home due to flight cancellations. Families of workers from Odisha’s Ganjam and Kendrapara districts have appealed to the Centre for urgent evacuation, after reports of missile sirens and explosions in parts of the UAE.

According to Indian embassy data, the Indian community in the UAE alone numbers over 4.4 million, accounting for nearly 38% of the country’s population. Indians are heavily employed in construction, retail, hospitality and logistics sectors, making prolonged instability a major humanitarian and economic concern.

The Indian government has said it is closely monitoring the situation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security and held discussions with leaders from Saudi Arabia and Bahrain, stressing the importance of regional stability and the safety of Indian nationals. Union ministers have stated that India is prepared to launch evacuation operations if required, similar to past efforts in Ukraine.

Meanwhile, several state leaders, including Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and BJD chief Naveen Patnaik, have urged the Centre to take immediate steps to protect and evacuate citizens from their states stranded in West Asia. Security has also been tightened in parts of India, including Delhi, Hyderabad and Kashmir, following protests linked to the conflict.

Beyond aviation and humanitarian concerns, economists warn that prolonged conflict could push crude oil prices higher, potentially impacting India’s energy imports, inflation outlook and current account balance. Tourism, particularly inbound foreign travel to India, is also expected to take a hit amid global uncertainty.

As diplomatic efforts continue and airlines cautiously restore select routes, thousands of Indian families remain on edge, hoping for safe passage home amid one of the most volatile geopolitical crises in recent years.