Air India’s Special Ad‑Hoc Flights to Dubai (21st), UAE Only
In response to heavy disruption and congestion at UAE airports, Air India and Air India Express have mounted special ad‑hoc flights on the 21st to and from Dubai to help clear stranded passengers. These flights are over and above the regular schedule and are being tactically deployed between key Indian cities and Dubai International Airport as slots and safety conditions permit.
- The ad-hoc Dubai flights are designed as temporary, one‑off or short‑run services added specifically to manage the backlog created by earlier cancellations and operational restrictions at Dubai.
- Guests who had their original Dubai flights cancelled or heavily delayed are being accommodated on these additional services wherever possible, often with priority given to those who have been waiting the longest in the UAE or India.
- Because these are special operations, timings and flight numbers may differ from the original bookings. Passengers are being notified via updated itineraries, SMS, email, and travel agents.
For many travellers, these ad‑hoc flights are the quickest way to finally reach or return from Dubai, making it crucial to keep a close eye on your updated booking rather than relying on your original schedule.
Other Affected Air India Flights in the UAE
Alongside the ad‑hoc operations to Dubai, regular services across the UAE network remain under pressure:
- Dubai: Standard Air India and Air India Express flights to and from DXB continue to face cancellations and delays on certain days, with only a reduced schedule operating in parallel with the special flights on the 21st.
- Abu Dhabi: Select Abu Dhabi routes, particularly those operated by Air India Express, have been suspended or rescheduled in line with airport directives and airspace constraints.
- Sharjah & Ras Al Khaimah: Several rotations linking Indian cities with Sharjah (SHJ) and Ras Al Khaimah (RKT) have been trimmed or rescheduled, though extra capacity remains focused mainly on the Dubai sector.
Because all of these changes are closely tied to real‑time operational conditions at UAE airports, the pattern of flights may continue to evolve around the 21st and the days that follow.
Ad‑Hoc UAE Flights: How to Know if You’re On One
With both scheduled and ad‑hoc flights operating, UAE passengers should understand how these special services show up in their bookings:
- If your original Dubai flight was cancelled and your new itinerary shows a different flight number or unusual departure time on or around the 21st, there is a good chance you have been placed on an ad‑hoc service.
- Some ad‑hoc flights have been created as one‑time extras expressly to clear the backlog. Others consolidate multiple sets of passengers from earlier cancellations into a single additional departure.
- Regardless of whether a flight is ad‑hoc or scheduled, you are entitled to the same level of information, care, and access to rebooking or refund options if the new plan no longer works for you.
Always verify the current status of any flight, especially those newly assigned for the 21st before heading to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or Ras Al Khaimah airports.
Rebooking & Refund Options for UAE‑Only Flights
While the heart of this update is the special Dubai flights on the 21st, Air India has also activated flexible policies for UAE passengers whose plans have been disrupted:
- Travellers booked on cancelled or heavily delayed UAE flights (Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah) can rebook to a later date on the same route without paying additional rebooking charges, subject to seat availability.
- If the new timings, including those on ad‑hoc flights, do not suit you, you can request a full refund of the unused portion of your ticket, with change and refund penalties typically waived under the current UAE‑specific advisory.
- These options broadly cover both regular and ad‑hoc operations, ensuring that guests are not disadvantaged if operational changes around the 21st make their trip unworkable.
Tickets issued by travel agents or other airlines need to be handled by the original issuing party, who will process your UAE rebooking or refund using Air India’s waiver guidelines.
What UAE Passengers Should Do Right Now
Given the mix of cancellations, reduced schedules, and special flights, UAE‑based passengers need to stay proactive:
- Check your Air India flight status repeatedly on the official website or app using your current flight number and date, especially if you have been rebooked on or around the 21st.
- Use “Manage Booking” on Air India’s website to confirm that your contact details are up to date so that you receive SMS and email alerts about any further changes to Dubai or other UAE flights.
- If you booked directly with Air India or Air India Express, use the online forms and helplines listed in the airline’s Middle East/UAE advisories for rebooking or refund requests. If your ticket was issued by a UAE‑based travel agent, coordinate with them first.
- Do not leave for Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or Ras Al Khaimah airport unless your latest itinerary (whether scheduled or ad‑hoc) shows as confirmed and operating on the airline’s own status page.
