Qatar Airways flies over 7,600 Indians home from Doha in 3 days amid US-Iran war, says embassy

In a March 19 post, Qatar Airways said it would run a limited number of flights until March 28, 2026, citing the ongoing Middle East conflict.

Updated on: Mar 24, 2026, 16:25:46 IST

Edited by Shubham Pandey

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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.

Qatar Airways aircraft parked at Teruel Airport in Spain, as airlines move planes away from escalating conflict in the Middle East, in Teruel, Spain, March 20, 2026. (REUTERS) (REUTERS)

“The Indian Embassy in Doha informed that Qatar Airways operated 25 flights to India between March 20 and 22, carrying around 7,750 Indian nationals,” read a post by India in Qatar on X.

In a post on March 19, Qatar Airways had said 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 could book available destinations through its website, mobile application, or travel agents.

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On March 20, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said that Qatar Airways would arrange 10 special flights to India. “Flight situation continues to improve. Qatar Airways is expected to operate 10 non-scheduled flights to India today,” MEA’s additional secretary (Gulf) Aseem R Mahajan had said.

Global air travel continues to face major disruptions as the Iran war has forced the shutdown of key Middle Eastern 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 the ongoing regional tensions, the MEA said that nearly 3.75 lakh passengers have returned to India from West Asia since February 28.

Mahajan said airlines are currently operating limited, 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 are continuing, Qatari airspace has only partially reopened. Meanwhile, airspace in Kuwait and Bahrain remains closed.

Mahajan also noted that India is helping evacuate its citizens stranded in Iran through alternate routes via Armenia and Azerbaijan. Several Indian students in cities such as Tehran, Isfahan and Shiraz have been moved to safer locations.

So far, 1,031 Indians, including 707 students and 324 other citizens, have exited Iran with assistance from Indian missions, he said, adding that the government is closely monitoring the situation and continuing support efforts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shubham Pandey
Shubham Pandey works as Chief Content Producer at the Hindustan Times online desk, where he writes news articles, explainers, and features with a focus on audience engagement, traffic growth, and real-time storytelling. With over a decade of experience across journalism, digital newsrooms, and strategic communications, he brings a strong understanding of online journalism, particularly in leveraging SEO, search trends, and live blogs to drive sustained reader engagement. Previously, he led the sports team at Zee News English, strengthening editorial operations while delivering measurable growth in readership. His reporting experience includes assignments with Firstpost, where he covered sports with a strong narrative focus. Shubham has worked across both startups and large media organisations, including building a sports website from the ground up in a startup environment—demonstrating versatility and leadership. His stint as Senior Account Manager at Edelman India further expanded his expertise in strategic communications, brand storytelling, and reputation management. Across roles, he specialises in content planning, writing, and crafting credible narratives for diverse audiences. He has collaborated with former international cricketers Cheteshwar Pujara, Nick Knight, and Danny Morrison to create compelling, high-impact sports content, blending editorial depth with mass appeal. When he is not writing news or watching sports, he enjoys exploring films from around the world.Read More

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