Overview
Qatar Airways operated a series of special evacuation and repatriation flights that carried approximately 7,750 Indian nationals from Doha to various destinations in India across 25 flights, according to a statement from the Indian Embassy in Qatar. The operation formed part of coordinated efforts to facilitate the safe return of Indian citizens stranded abroad, with Qatar Airways serving as the principal carrier from Hamad International Airport in Doha.
Key Facts
| Airline | Qatar Airways |
|---|---|
| Number of flights | 25 |
| Indian nationals carried | Approximately 7,750 |
| Origin | Hamad International Airport, Doha, Qatar |
| Destination | India (multiple cities) |
| Coordinating authority | Embassy of India, Doha |
| Reported by | News On AIR |
Background
Qatar hosts a large Indian expatriate community, estimated to be among the biggest national groups resident in the country. Indians work across sectors including construction, hospitality, healthcare, oil and gas, retail, and professional services. The Embassy of India in Doha routinely engages with Qatari authorities and carriers to support consular needs of this diaspora, including travel arrangements during disruptions.
Qatar Airways, the state-owned flag carrier of Qatar, operates one of the densest networks between the Gulf and the Indian subcontinent, with regular services to multiple Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Goa.
The Repatriation Operation
The Indian Embassy in Doha confirmed that 25 flights operated by Qatar Airways were used to transport the 7,750 Indian nationals back to India. The embassy's communication highlighted the role of the airline in supporting the operation alongside diplomatic coordination on the ground in Qatar.
Role of the Embassy
- Registration and documentation of Indian nationals seeking to return.
- Liaison with Qatari civil aviation authorities and Hamad International Airport.
- Coordination with Indian state governments to receive returnees.
- Information dissemination through embassy advisories and helplines.
Role of Qatar Airways
- Allocation of aircraft and crew for the special services.
- Operational planning across 25 sectors to Indian airports.
- Compliance with health and travel protocols applicable at the time.
Significance
The movement of nearly 7,750 passengers in 25 flights underlines the operational scale of India–Qatar civil aviation links and the importance of bilateral cooperation in consular emergencies. It also reflects the size of the Indian community in Qatar, which depends on regular and reliable air connectivity for travel, family visits, and emergency returns.
For the Government of India, such operations form part of a broader pattern of overseas evacuation and assistance missions coordinated by the Ministry of External Affairs through its missions abroad. For Qatar Airways, participation in the operation reinforces its long-standing commercial and strategic ties with the Indian aviation market.
Related Topics
- Qatar Airways
- Embassy of India, Doha
- India–Qatar Relations
- Indian Diaspora in Qatar
- Hamad International Airport
- Ministry of External Affairs (India)
- Repatriation of Indian Nationals
References
- News On AIR report citing the Indian Embassy in Qatar, published 17 May 2026.