In the middle of the escalating tension in the Middle East after the Iranian missile strikes at the American base in Qatar on Tuesday morning, Air India announced the immediate suspension of all flights to the region and routes associated with the east coast of North America and Europe.
“In the middle of the Development Situation in the Middle East Air India, all operations ceased to the region and to the east coast of North America and Europe immediately until the next announcement,” Air India spokesman said in a statement.
Air India temporarily suspended services to several European cities and five North American airports – New York, Newark, Chicago, Washington and Toronto.
After the Iranian missile strike at the American air base in Qatar, several countries, including Qatar, closed and disrupted regional and international flight operations.
The decision is followed by increased geopolitical instability in the region after the Iranian retaliation of missile attacks on the US military installation, including the Al Udeid base in Qatar.
Flights diverted and redirected
According to the airline, all flights linked to India from North America return either to their original points or are redirected outside the conflict zones and closed airy spaces.
“Our flights linked to India from North America will divert back to their appropriate origin and others are diverted back to India or redirected from enclosed air spaces,” the spokesman explained.
Air India urged passengers to remain patient as the crisis took place.
“We will ask to understand all passengers who can be influenced by this disruption, which is out of control of the airline,” the airline said, remarking that she was carefully monitored.
Safety remains the highest priority
Air India assured the public and stressed that the safety of its passengers and crews remains paramount.
“Air India is constantly consulting with its external security advisors and monitoring the evolving situation. We will inform our passengers about any updates. The security and security of our passengers and employees remains our number one priority,” the statement concluded.
Flights Air India Express disrupted
Air India Express was also affected, with some flights diverted. “As a result of the ongoing Middle East situation and the suspension of Qatar Air India Express, our flight from Kochi to Muscat moved our flight from Kannura,” the airline said.
Air India Express operates 25 weekly flights to Doha, with direct services from Kannura, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapurama and Tiruchchirappalli. In addition, the airline associates Doha with eight Indian-Bengaluru, Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Bombai and Pune-mediating one-off flights.
The suspension contributes to the growing list of global carriers redirecting or grounding flights in the middle of concerns about the wider regional conflict.
(Tagstotranslate) Air India Flight Suspension (T) Middle East Tension (T) Iranian missile attacks on the American base in Qatar
