According to reports from IANS and the Embassy of India Doha, Air India, Air India Express, and IndiGo will resume flight services to Hamad International Airport, Doha starting May 1, 2026. The Embassy of India Doha posted on X that Indian carriers plan to resume operations at Hamad International Airport, Doha, as flight operations continue to expand. As reported by IANS, the airline stated that flights have resumed from major Indian metros and regional gateways, including Amritsar, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram and Varanasi. The carrier will continue operating to Al Ain, Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, Sharjah, Jeddah, Riyadh and Muscat, with the reinstatement of established routes connecting India to the Gulf region. However, recent developments show that multiple international airlines have cancelled flights to the Middle East amid ongoing regional tensions, with some carriers suspending operations until July 2026.
As reported by IANS, Air India Express operates over 500 daily flights, linking 45 domestic hubs with 17 international locations throughout South, Southeast, and West Asia. The carrier maintains a fleet of more than 100 Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 aircraft as a Tata Enterprise. According to IANS, other major airlines, such as Air India and IndiGo, are also prepared to restart comprehensive operations at Doha's Hamad International Airport beginning 1 May 2026. The resumption represents a significant step towards normalisation of air connectivity in the region, with multiple airlines now returning to their pre-conflict operational levels, though recent cancellations by international carriers have created operational challenges for the region.
According to IANS and The Times of India, this restoration follows exactly two months after the launch of 'Operation Epic Fury' on 28 February 2026. That joint US-Israeli military offensive, aimed at the Iranian leadership and nuclear sites, escalated into a broader regional conflict. As reported by IANS, the Embassy of India Doha noted that the resumption forms part of a coordinated effort involving global aviation authorities working to stabilise operations in the region. The fragile ceasefire, brokered in Islamabad in mid-April and recently extended by US President Donald Trump, has opened a temporary window of stability sufficient for commercial insurers to approve the return of international flight operations, though recent developments show that airlines continue to reroute flights away from major Middle Eastern hubs amid ongoing regional tensions.
As reported by IANS and The Times of India, despite its mediatory efforts, Qatar was caught in the hostilities. Iranian strikes on 18 March 2026 compromised 17% of Qatar's LNG capacity at Ras Laffan, halting its energy and aviation sectors. According to IANS, Qatari airspace remained largely closed to commercial traffic for nearly two months, with Hamad International Airport operating only limited emergency and evacuation flights since early March. The fragile Islamabad-brokered ceasefire has now enabled commercial insurers to approve the gradual return of international flight operations to the region, with multiple airlines now resuming their full operational schedules, though recent cancellations by international carriers have created operational challenges for the region.
According to IANS and The Times of India, the resumption of Indian flights—representing a neutral but essential regional presence—acts as a 'soft' stabilising force to help revive the regional economy while nuclear negotiations remain deadlocked in Islamabad. As reported by IANS, the Embassy cautioned that flight schedules remain subject to ongoing coordination, underscoring the still-fragile security environment. Passengers have been advised to remain in close contact with airlines for real-time updates regarding schedules, terminal information, and booking statuses. Travellers are encouraged to stay proactive by staying in touch with airlines for live updates on schedules, terminal changes, and booking statuses, as recent cancellations by international carriers have created additional uncertainty for regional connectivity.
