'We could see missiles': Returnees share relief as UAE flights to India begin limited ops amid Middle East tensions

• Flights from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to India resume after suspension
• Special evacuation flights by Etihad bring stranded Indians home
• IndiGo and other airlines operate relief flights for passengers

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In a major relief for Indians stranded in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), flight services from Dubai and Abu Dhabi to India resumed on Monday night after being suspended due to the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict. However, limited operations have now restarted.

An Emirates flight, EK 500, landed safely at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport late Monday evening. Around the same time, the first flight from Abu Dhabi arrived at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport.

Additional services also touched down at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport and Chennai Airport as airlines cautiously resumed operations amid tensions in West Asia.

First flights land after days of uncertainty

Passengers onboard Emirates flight EK568 from Dubai to Bengaluru described an emotional atmosphere as the aircraft prepared for departure. According to news agency ANI, an air hostess welcomed travellers by announcing that it was the first flight to Bengaluru after the suspension.

Sanjeev Mehta, one of the passengers, expressed gratitude to UAE authorities for restarting services. “Thanks to the UAE authorities for starting the flights. We just boarded the flight to Bengaluru, India. This is one of the first few flights which have started," he was quoted by ANI as saying.

He said passengers received very short notice to book tickets but managed to secure seats and rush to the airport. “I am excited that I am going back home,” he said, adding that the sudden announcement brought relief after days of uncertainty.

A returnee named Shiv described the situation back in UAE. “We could see missiles being constantly intercepted. The airspace is very busy. There was not a very visible impact in Abu Dhabi,” PTI quoted Shiv as saying.

One returnee who arrived at Kempegowda airport said, “I see war. It's a tickling feeling for us. I've never experienced these things. My dream was to join the Indian Army. But when I saw this war, I was like, how do these people face these situations? What challenges will they take?”

Special evacuation flights by Etihad

Four special evacuation flights operated by Etihad Airways also brought stranded Indians back from Abu Dhabi. Flight EY216 reached Delhi around 8 pm, while EY204 landed in Mumbai at approximately 7.40 pm. Another flight, EY238, arrived in Bengaluru at 9.45 pm, and EY334 touched down in Kochi at 10.10 pm.

Passengers praised the airline for arranging hotel stays during the disruption. One traveller said that after being stranded at Abu Dhabi airport, Etihad Airways ensured proper care and booked hotel accommodations for affected passengers whose flights had been cancelled.

Earlier in the day, Dubai Airports confirmed a partial restart of operations at Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central - Al Maktoum International. However, authorities advised passengers not to travel to the airport unless they had received confirmation from their airline.

IndiGo and other carriers step in

India’s Civil Aviation Ministry announced that IndiGo would operate 10 special relief flights from Jeddah on March 3 to bring back stranded passengers. These flights are subject to necessary approvals and airspace conditions. The airline is coordinating with the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to assist travellers.

The Ministry also stated that several foreign carriers operating between India and Gulf countries have started limited services, depending on safety and operational considerations.

Meanwhile, travel platform EaseMyTrip announced special charter flights from Fujairah to Delhi and Mumbai to help affected passengers.