Indian Carriers Plan 58 Flights to Middle East Today Amid Crisis
The government on Tuesday said Indian airlines have made calibrated adjustments to their schedules and plan to operate 58 flights on March 4, as the ongoing Middle East crisis continues to disrupt air travel. “Special arrangements are being made to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers, with airlines deploying additional capacity where needed and coordinating closely with foreign aviation authorities and Indian missions abroad to ensure safe and orderly travel,” the civil aviation ministry said in a statement.
Of the 58 flights, 30 are expected to be operated by IndiGo and 23 by Air India and Air India Express. In addition, foreign carriers such as Emirates and Etihad Airways have conducted nine flights from the Gulf in the past 24 hours.
The ministry noted that Indian carriers have progressively resumed long-haul and ultra long-haul operations via alternative routings that avoid restricted airspace, while closely monitoring fares to prevent undue price surges.
The escalating tensions in the Middle East, involving the US, Israel, and Iran, have heavily impacted flight operations, with many airspaces closed. Since February 28, Indian carriers have cancelled 1,221 flights, while foreign carriers have cancelled 388 flights. On Tuesday alone, 104 international flights by Indian airlines were cancelled.
“All airlines have been advised to maintain transparent communication with passengers and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements regarding refunds, rescheduling, and passenger assistance,” the ministry said. It added that authorities are coordinating with airlines, airport operators, regulatory bodies, and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure safe operations and orderly restoration of services.
Meanwhile, Air India confirmed on X that it has extended the suspension of most flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until 23:59 IST on March 4, 2026, while continuing to monitor the evolving situation in the region.
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