The national carrier reported via social media that the flight was accommodating 149 passengers along with 8 crew members.
“We are thrilled to welcome our guests and crew from Dubai aboard flight AI916D,” stated their social media update. “This marks the first Indian carrier flight to reach New Delhi today, carrying 149 passengers and 8 crew members amid the current situation in the Middle East,” it continued.
Air India also shared images capturing the happy expressions of both crew and passengers as the flight touched down in the national capital.
We are thrilled to welcome our guests and crew from Dubai aboard flight AI916D. This marks the first Indian carrier flight to reach New Delhi today, carrying 149 passengers and 8 crew members amid the current situation in the Middle East.
A heartfelt thank you… pic.twitter.com/7EnRf2MA16— Air India Newsroom (@AirIndia_News) March 3, 2026
The airline expressed appreciation for its teams and various authorities, stating, “A heartfelt thank you to our teams, the Government of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and the local authorities in Dubai for their ongoing support and for facilitating this homecoming.”
“There’s no better feeling than bringing our guests and crew back home,” declared Air India in a subsequent post. The posted pictures reveal smiling passengers and crew members, all showing the victory sign.
There’s no better feeling than bringing our guests and crew back home❤️#AirIndia pic.twitter.com/p8mITx2YdZ
— Air India Newsroom (@AirIndia_News) March 3, 2026
Shortly after Air India’s announcement, numerous passengers took to the airline’s comments section inquiring about their cancelled flights.
One user expressed, “Our flight was booked with Air India, which got cancelled. Now we are stuck in UAE. What about us? Can you provide updates? What are we supposed to do?”
Another wrote, “When is the next flight departing from Dubai to anywhere in India? My parents are stuck and have a flight booked for tomorrow, March 4th, at 11:45 am.”
Some passengers praised Air India for its efforts to resume operations.
“Well done, Air India. Here’s hoping we can bring all of our Indian brethren home safely,” posted one.
“That’s wonderful…. thankful to know that everyone is safe now,” commented another.
Currently, no other Indian airline has resumed flights from Dubai. Recently, SpiceJet cancelled multiple flights, including return routes, between India and the UAE on March 2 and 3.
Dubai Airports has only permitted a limited number of flights to resume following airspace closures due to the escalating Iran‑Israel‑US conflict.
The partial reopening commenced on the evening of March 2 at both Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), although standard operations remain halted.
The closures ensued after missile and drone strikes launched by Iran across the Gulf, which were a response to a joint Israeli-American military operation that resulted in the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
