Air India Express resumed most Gulf routes on 30 April 2026. A drone strike on Kuwait airport on 3 June has now disrupted Kuwait flights again.
Here is the current route status, plus your rebooking and refund options.
Which Air India Express Gulf routes are operating?
Most Air India Express Gulf routes resumed on 30 April 2026, and the airline now operates over 40 daily flights to West Asia. Kuwait is the exception following the 3 June airport strike.
| Destination | Status |
|---|---|
| UAE — Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain | Operating (scheduled) |
| Muscat (Oman) | Operating (scheduled) |
| Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) | Operating (scheduled) |
| Riyadh (Saudi Arabia) | Operating (scheduled) |
| Dammam (Saudi Arabia) | Operating (resumed 30 April) |
| Bahrain | Operating (resumed 30 April) |
| Doha (Qatar) | Operating (resumed 30 April) |
| Kuwait | Partly suspended — some services halted through 6 June after the 3 June airport strike |
Air India Express flies these Gulf routes from 14 Indian cities, including Amritsar, Bengaluru, Delhi, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Kochi, Kozhikode, Kannur, Lucknow, Mangaluru, Mumbai, Tiruchirappalli, Thiruvananthapuram, and Varanasi. Exact frequencies vary by route and day.
How to check your Air India Express booking status
- Air India website: Visit airindia.com and check Manage Booking with your PNR and last name.
- Live flight status: Check your specific flight on the Air India Express flight status page.
- Press releases: Air India Group publishes daily operational updates at airindia.com/newsroom.
- WhatsApp (Tia): Contact the AI assistant at +91 63600 12345 for rebooking and status queries.
Your options: Refund, rebook, or reroute
| Option | Details | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Full Refund | Complete refund for all airline-cancelled flights, processed within 7–10 working days. | Travellers who want their money back. |
| Free Rebooking | Reschedule to any future date at no extra cost. | Travellers who want to travel once the situation stabilises. |
| Flexible Rerouting | Passengers on suspended routes can rebook on an alternative operating route without extra charges. | Kuwait passengers who need to travel now. |
How to get a refund from Air India Express
If you booked directly with Air India Express
- Visit airindiaexpress.com → Manage Booking.
- Enter your details and your PNR or booking reference number.
- Select your cancelled flight and choose the refund option.
- Alternatively, contact the WhatsApp assistant (Tia) at +91 63600 12345 to initiate the refund.
If you booked through a travel agent or OTA
Contact the booking platform first. Also submit a parallel request directly to Air India Express with your PNR.
Refund timeline
Air India Express typically processes refunds within 7–10 working days. Credit card refunds may take an additional billing cycle to appear on your statement.
How to rebook your Air India Express flight
Air India Express is offering free rebooking for passengers on routes where services remain suspended:
- Reschedule to any future date at no additional cost.
- No change fees apply for airline-initiated cancellations.
- Rerouting available: If you were booked to Kuwait, you may be able to reroute through another operating Gulf gateway such as Muscat, Bahrain, or Doha.
- How to rebook: Via the official Air India Express website, the Tia WhatsApp assistant at +91 63600 12345, or by calling the Air India Group hotline at +91 116 932 9333.
What to do if you’re affected by the Kuwait disruption
Most Gulf routes are operating normally. The live disruption is Kuwait: the airport was hit on 3 June and reopened the same day, but Air India Express has suspended some Kuwait services through 6 June while safe operating corridors are confirmed.
- Kuwait passengers: Air India Express has suspended some Kuwait services through 6 June and is resuming them case by case as safe corridors open. Confirm your flight before heading to the airport, or choose a refund, free rebooking, or rerouting. For the full picture across all carriers, see our guide on India–Kuwait flights after the 3 June drone strike.
- Route through Muscat: Oman’s airspace has remained open throughout. Air India Express runs scheduled flights from Muscat if you need an alternative way home.
- Contact the Indian Embassy: Indian missions in the Gulf maintain consular helplines for citizens affected by disruptions. Find your nearest mission via the Ministry of External Affairs directory.
If you’re in India and need to reach the Gulf
- Scheduled routes to the UAE, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar are operating. Kuwait services are partly suspended through 6 June after the strike.
- Confirm Kuwait flights directly with the airline before booking, as timings are changing day to day.
Your passenger rights
Indian DGCA regulations
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation requires airlines to offer passengers an alternate flight or a refund when a flight is cancelled. Air India Group has confirmed that guests on suspended routes may rebook to a future date at no extra charge or opt for a full refund.
Under DGCA rules, additional compensation may apply in some cancellation cases, but not when the disruption is caused by extraordinary circumstances beyond the airline’s control.
Will travel insurance cover this?
- Policies purchased before 28 February 2026 with comprehensive trip cancellation coverage may cover this disruption.
- Check your policy’s war and conflict exclusion clause.
- CFAR (“Cancel For Any Reason”) policies typically cover 50–75% of non-refundable costs regardless of the reason.
Keep all documentation: cancellation emails, receipts for accommodation and alternative transport, and all communication with the airline.
Air India Express contact information
| Channel | Details |
|---|---|
| WhatsApp (Tia) | +91 63600 12345 |
| Phone (Air India Group) | +91 116 932 9333 or +91 116 932 9999 |
| Customer Care | 080-4666 2222 |
| Website | airindiaexpress.com/support |
| Press Releases | airindia.com/newsroom |
Tips for affected travellers
- Use WhatsApp for faster service. Contact Tia at +91 63600 12345 instead of waiting on the phone.
- Confirm before you travel. Check your flight status on the day, as conditions can still change at short notice.
- If your Kuwait flight is cancelled, route through Muscat. Oman remains a reliable alternative, with Air India Express operating scheduled flights daily.
- Confirm Kuwait flights before booking. Timings are changing day to day as services resume.
- Keep all receipts and screenshots. Documentation is essential for refund claims and insurance.
- Contact the Indian Embassy if you need consular help in the Gulf.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Air India Express flying to the Gulf right now?
Yes. Air India Express resumed most Gulf routes on 30 April 2026 and now operates over 40 daily flights to the UAE, Oman (Muscat), Saudi Arabia (Jeddah, Riyadh, Dammam), Bahrain, and Qatar (Doha). Kuwait services are partly suspended through 6 June after the airport strike.
Why are Kuwait flights suspended again?
A drone and missile strike hit Kuwait International Airport’s passenger terminal on 3 June 2026. Kuwait briefly suspended all commercial flights but reopened the airport the same day after safety checks. Air India Express has suspended some Kuwait services through 6 June while safe operating corridors are confirmed.
Can I get a refund on my Air India Express ticket?
Yes. If your Air India Express flight is cancelled or your route is suspended, you can choose a full refund. Refunds are typically processed within 7–10 working days.
Can I rebook for free?
Yes. Air India Express is offering free rebooking to any future date for affected passengers. You can rebook through the airline’s website, the Tia WhatsApp assistant, or by calling the Air India Group hotline.
I’m stuck in Kuwait. How do I get home?
Kuwait International Airport reopened the same day as the 3 June strike, though Air India Express has suspended some services through 6 June. Confirm your flight before heading to the airport, or contact Tia on WhatsApp at +91 63600 12345 to arrange a refund, rebooking, or rerouting through another Gulf gateway.
When will Air India Express Kuwait flights resume?
Kuwait International Airport has reopened, and Air India Express expects to restore its suspended Kuwait services from around 6 June, subject to safe operating corridors. All other major Air India Express Gulf routes are already operating.
Sources
- Air India — Middle East Flight Updates and Travel Advisory
- Air India Newsroom
- Air India Express — Flight Status
- Air India Express — Support
- The National — Flights Resume in Kuwait After Drone Attack, 3 June 2026
- Gulf News — Kuwait International Airport Flight Updates
- DGCA India
- Ministry of External Affairs — Indian Missions Abroad
- AirSewa — Grievance Portal
Disclaimer: Wego strives to ensure all information presented in this article is accurate and up to date at the time of publication. Travel policies, prices, visa requirements, and conditions can change rapidly. We strongly recommend verifying critical details with official sources before making travel decisions. Wego does not accept liability for any inaccuracies, oversights, or changes that may occur after publication.
