Abu Dhabi, March 4 — With tensions in West Asia escalating, Akasa Air and Air Arabia have changed operations for flights involving the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
Akasa Air said it will operate a special repatriation flight from Abu Dhabi to Mumbai on Wednesday. Flight QP 585 is scheduled to depart Abu Dhabi at 16:00 local time (17:30 IST). In addition, the low-cost carrier will operate selected services between Jeddah and Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Bengaluru on March 4 and March 5. On March 4, Akasa plans flights between Mumbai and Jeddah and between Ahmedabad and Jeddah; on March 5, services are scheduled between Mumbai and Jeddah and between Bengaluru and Jeddah.
The airline noted these operations are based on its current safety assessment and may change as conditions evolve. Akasa also announced that flights to and from Doha, Kuwait City and Riyadh will remain suspended until March 5. The carrier reiterated that the safety of passengers and crew is its top priority.
Air Arabia said it has temporarily suspended flights to and from the UAE until Monday, March 9, until 15:00 UAE time. A limited number of flights will operate in coordination with authorities and only with the necessary operational and safety approvals. Passengers on operating flights will be informed directly; others were advised not to travel to the airport unless contacted by the airline.
The airline adjustments come amid rising regional tensions after a reported joint US–Israel strike on Iranian territory that sources say killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and other senior figures, prompting strong retaliation from Tehran. Iran has reportedly launched waves of drone and missile attacks across several Arab countries and targeted US military bases and Israeli assets in the region. Israel has continued strikes on Tehran and extended operations into Lebanon, including actions against Hezbollah.
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