The United Arab Emirates has reportedly imposed new restrictions on flight operations to Dubai, delivering a significant setback to Indian airlines that operate a large number of services on the India–Dubai route. The move is expected to impact both Indian and several international carriers amid peak travel demand.
Under the revised regulations, foreign airlines will be allowed to operate only one flight per day on the route. The restrictions are set to remain in effect until May 31. The decision comes as a surprise given that Indian carriers account for a major share of the high-frequency services to Dubai.
Airlines such as IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet are expected to be the most affected, as they had already scheduled a large number of additional flights for the summer travel season. Reports indicate that Air India had planned around 750 flights for April and May, while IndiGo had scheduled approximately 481 flights during the same period.
Industry stakeholders have expressed concern over the move, noting that Emirates and Fly Dubai operations to India have not faced similar curbs. The Federation of Indian Airlines has reportedly objected to the decision and is considering reciprocal measures if the restrictions are not revised. The sudden curbs have also disrupted advance bookings, raising concerns over cancellations, refunds, and potential financial losses for airlines.