A total of 7,650 Indian nationals were flown back to India from Doha on Qatar Airways flights between March 20 and 22, the Indian Embassy in Qatar said on Monday.
“The Indian Embassy in Doha informed that Qatar Airways operated 25 flights to India from March 20 to 22, carrying around 7,750 Indian nationals,” said a post published by India in Qatar on X.
Qatar Airways said in a post dated March 19 that it would operate a limited number of flights until March 28, 2026 due to the ongoing war in the Middle East. The airline added that passengers can book available destinations through its website, mobile application or travel agents.
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On March 20, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Qatar Airways would arrange 10 special flights to India. MEA (Gulf) Additional Secretary Asim Mahajan said: “The flight situation continues to improve. Qatar Airways is expected to operate 10 non-scheduled flights to India today.”
Global air travel continues to face major disruptions as the Iran war forced the closure of major Middle East hubs such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, leaving thousands of passengers unable to travel as planned.
IndiGo has suspended flights to several destinations – including Doha, Kuwait, Bahrain, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah – until March 28.
Amid ongoing regional tensions, the MEA said nearly 3.75 lakh passengers have returned to India from West Asia since February 28.
Mahajan said that airlines are currently operating limited and non-scheduled flights between the UAE and India, depending on operational feasibility and safety conditions. He added that while flights from Oman and Saudi Arabia to India continue, Qatari airspace has only partially reopened. Meanwhile, the airspace in Kuwait and Bahrain remains closed.
Mahajan also noted that India is helping in the evacuation of its citizens stranded in Iran via alternative routes via Armenia and Azerbaijan. Many Indian students in cities like Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz have been shifted to safer locations.
He pointed out that 1,031 Indians, including 707 students and 324 other citizens, have so far left Iran with the help of Indian missions, adding that the government is closely monitoring the situation and continuing support efforts.
