Kumar Bahukhandi
India’s leading airlines are set to restore full-scale operations at Hamad International Airport (DOH) starting May 1. (Representational image)
Passengers have been advised to stay in close contact with airlines for real-time updates on schedules, terminal details and booking status
Doha: In a significant move, India’s leading airlines are set to restore full-scale operations at Hamad International Airport (DOH) starting May 1, 2026.
The resumption comes exactly two months after Operation Epic Fury, launched on February 28, 2026—a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting Iranian leadership and nuclear infrastructure that triggered widespread regional conflict.
Three major Indian carriers—Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo—will spearhead the return, reconnecting Doha with key Indian metros and regional hubs.
“Indian carriers plan to resume operations at Hamad International Airport, Doha, as flight operations continue to expand. Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo plan to resume their flight services between Doha and various destinations in India starting May 1, 2026,” the Embassy of India in Doha said in a post on X.
The Embassy emphasised that the move is part of a coordinated effort involving international aviation authorities. However, it cautioned that flight schedules remain subject to ongoing coordination, reflecting the fragile security situation in the region.
Passengers have been advised to stay in close contact with airlines for real-time updates on schedules, terminal details and booking status.
Despite its role as a mediator, Qatar was impacted by the conflict. Iranian strikes on March 18 damaged around 17% of the country’s LNG export capacity at Ras Laffan, causing an unprecedented shutdown of key energy and aviation operations.
Qatari airspace remained largely closed to commercial traffic for nearly two months, with Hamad International Airport handling only limited emergency and evacuation flights since early March.
A fragile ceasefire, brokered in Islamabad in mid-April and recently extended by U.S. President Donald Trump, has created a temporary security window allowing commercial insurers to approve the return of international carriers.
The resumption of flights by Indian airlines is seen as a stabilising step for the regional economy, even as high-level nuclear negotiations continue in Islamabad.
( Source : ANI )
