The Federation of Indian Airlines (FIA) has sent a letter to the Indian government seeking its intervention to urge Dubai authorities to lift the restrictions it has imposed on foreign airlines till May 31. The curb applies to all flights from India and around the world, restricting services to just one daily flight to Dubai airport.

The decision was taken due to the Iran conflict, impacting Indian carriers largely as they had planned to fly more flights to Dubai this year.

The FIA represents top carriers such as IndiGo, Air India and SpiceJet.

Indian carriers, which are already subject to a financial struggle on account of high fuel costs, are pressing the government to consider reciprocal measures on Dubai carriers to counter the curbs imposed upon foreign flights till May 31.

Dubai Airports had in their announcement said that carriers would be allowed one round trip per day to Dubai International Airport (DXB), and the Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), in the period between April 20 and May 31.

The FIA had highlighted that the restrictions were not applicable to Dubai’s airlines, making the decision unfair while leading to substantial revenue loss to one side alone.

With India being the largest source of passengers for DXB in 2025, the one-flight-per-day cap would mean 30 or 31 flights only per month for each foreign airline, ‌whereas Emirates and flydubai would be flying hundreds of flights a month. – editor@nrifocus.com