Amid escalating tensions linked to the war with Iran, Dubai will limit foreign airlines to a single flight a day until 31 May, a drastic move set to hit Indian carriers the hardest, and could impact the emirate’s position as a major Middle Eastern hub.
The decision was communicated in a private letter sent to airlines on 27 March, outlining a temporary summer schedule running from 20 April to 31 May. Under the new rules, carriers will be permitted one round-trip per day to both Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, extending the restrictions that were introduced when the situation in the region deteriorated.
Since the war began, Iran has fired more than 1,800 missiles and drones at the UAE, though air defences have intercepted the vast majority of projectiles. Dubai airport and its vicinity have suffered direct hits on a number of occasions since the war began.
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Flight operations in the UAE are severely disrupted due to regional airspace closures and safety concerns, with many flights suspended or operating on a reduced schedule at Dubai International (DXB) and Abu Dhabi International.
Emirates has… pic.twitter.com/MWUDKJnqXp
“Carriers continue to be limited to one rotation per day until capacity allows more to be facilitated… Additional slots will be allocated if capacity is available,” the letter said.
This announcement comes at a particularly challenging time for Indian carriers, who are already under financial pressure due to high fuel prices and longer flight paths resulting from Pakistan’s ban on Indian aircraft using its airspace. This ban is a consequence of the heightened tensions between the two nuclear-armed neighbours that escalated last year.
According to April and May scheduling data from Cirium, the Dubai caps will hit Indian airlines the hardest.
Reactions in India were swift. The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA), which represents IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet, urged the government to intervene. The group argued that the restrictions do not apply to Dubai-based carriers such as Emirates and flydubai, which creates unfair conditions likely to result in substantial revenue losses for Indian carriers.
@europe_wandergram Dubai Airport Right now!
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Gulf airlines, for their part, have long criticised the bilateral air service agreement, which caps the number of seats between Dubai and India.
For their part, Gulf airlines have long criticised the bilateral air service agreement, which limits the number of seats available on flights between Dubai and India. Indian authorities have defended these limits, arguing that they are necessary protection in an intensely competitive market.
In 2025, India was Dubai’s largest source of passengers, with 11.9 million travellers passing through the hub.
During the affected period, Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express had planned over 750 flights to Dubai, while IndiGo had scheduled 481. Saudia and Gulf Air had 480 and 404 flights planned, respectively, and SpiceJet had 61.
Under the new cap, each foreign airline will be limited to around 30 or 31 flights per month – a sharp reduction from the previously scheduled volumes.
#ImportantUpdate
— Air India (@airindia) April 9, 2026
Air India and Air India Express will together operate the following scheduled and non-scheduled flights, to and from the West Asia region on 10 April 2026, subject to availability of slots and other prevailing conditions at the departure stations at the time. pic.twitter.com/iYqj01K1gQ
IndiGo stated that it had planned up to 15 daily flights to Dubai for the summer season and added that “a significant portion of its capacity and aircraft time is now underutilised”.
Similarly, Air India Express warned that the restrictions would severely curtail services and limit options for travellers, despite very strong demand on UAE–India routes. The company called for a “fair and reciprocal operating framework”.
Flydubai said its restrictions had been approved by the relevant authorities, responding to requests for comment. Dubai Airports and Emirates’ media offices did not respond to repeated requests for comment by the time of publication.
Emirates is operating a reduced flight schedule to over 100 destinations.
— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) April 10, 2026
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Major global carriers, including Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines and British Airways, which operated fewer flights to Dubai prior to the crisis, have cancelled all services to the emirate until 31 May. Instead, they are adding more non-stop flights to Asian destinations, capitalising on sustained demand and rising fares.
While the war in the Middle East is reshaping the aviation industry by affecting prices, availability and routes, as well as imposing entry restrictions on certain nationalities, it has not dampened people’s desire to travel. It has merely redirected it.
