‘Keep One Bag Packed’: Indian Passengers Arriving From Dubai Recount Experience Amid Conflict

Last Updated:March 07, 2026, 15:16 IST

At New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, one passenger said daily life in Dubai continued normally despite occasional sirens and safety advisories.

West Asia Conflict: Passengers arriving from Dubai at airports across India on Saturday described the situation in the United Arab Emirates as largely controlled despite missile alerts, with many expressing relief at returning home safely and thanking authorities for facilitating their travel.

At New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, one passenger said daily life in Dubai continued normally despite occasional sirens and safety advisories.

“The situation is very normal there. Sirens ring and alarms come but still, it’s quite a normal environment. Advisory is to stay inside unless it’s an emergency," the passenger said as quoted by news agency ANI.

Another returnee at the Delhi airport said residents had been receiving emergency alerts and were advised to keep essential items ready.

“The missiles are being intercepted and we used to receive emergency alerts. We were advised to stay safe and stay indoors, and keep one bag packed, ready with all essentials," the passenger said.

At Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, a passenger said the Government of Dubai was handling the situation effectively and that the Maharashtra government had assisted in arranging the flight back to India.

“The Government of Dubai is handling the situation very well. The state government helped me in arranging the flight," the passenger said, referring to assistance from the Maharashtra government.

Another returnee in Mumbai said that although missile activity was visible, it did not directly affect civilians.

“The situation in Dubai is controlled. I saw missiles going up and down near me, but nothing of it actually affected the civilians," the passenger said, adding that educational institutions also ensured the safety of students.

Meanwhile, passengers arriving at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad expressed relief at returning to India and thanked the government for facilitating their journey.

“I am very happy to be back in India and I thank the government," one passenger said, while another added that there was no major problem in Dubai apart from flight rescheduling.

“There is no big problem in Dubai, but the flights are getting rescheduled. I am feeling very happy to be back in India," the passenger said.

The accounts collectively reflect a pattern of relative calm in Dubai amid ongoing regional tensions, with authorities maintaining safety protocols and issuing timely advisories to residents and visitors.

Amid the intense situation in the region, IndiGo announced that it would operate flights to five destinations in West Asia on Saturday.

According to the airline’s travel advisory, flights will operate to Dubai Airport, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Airport, Akrotiri Airport, and Fujairah International Airport. Return flights from these West Asian cities to Delhi, Mumbai, and Hyderabad are also being operated to facilitate the return of Indian nationals.

“To support customers during this time, subject to prevailing safety conditions and applicable regulatory approvals, IndiGo will be operating flights to five destinations in the Middle East on March 7, 2026, as detailed below. Our teams remain by your side, doing everything possible to help you continue your journey, while keeping the safety and well-being of our customers and crew at the heart of every decision we make," the airline said in its advisory.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia that is affecting air travel between India and the region.

Air travel across the West Asia continues to be thrown into disarray as the escalating conflict between the US, Israel and Iran disrupts skies over key Gulf hubs. Since February 28, airports in Dubai, Qatar, Kuwait and Bahrain have witnessed mass cancellations, which have affected thousands of passengers. The escalating tensions have prompted the airlines to reschedule or suspend flights/

Dubai International Airport, one of the world’s busiest hubs and ranked second globally after Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport, has faced disruptions in recent days amid heightened tensions in West Asia.

(With inputs from agencies)

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