Domestic carriers are scheduled to operate 96 flights to and from the Middle East on Friday, while 278 international routes have been canceled for the day, the government said amid ongoing regional conflict.
Flight operations were suspended due to airspace restrictions and closures. Some airlines have resumed limited service to and from the region, where tensions between the US, Israel and Iran have intensified in recent days.
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In a post on X MoCA, he wrote: “Due to ongoing developments in West Asia and resulting airspace restrictions, flight operations have been affected in several sectors. A total of 96 flight operations have been scheduled today by Indian domestic carriers to and from destinations in West Asia. As of March 6, 278 flights scheduled to be operated by Indian domestic carriers today have been cancelled.”
MoCA further advised passengers to keep a close eye on the latest flight updates and “remain attentive to communications shared by their respective airlines through registered contact details”.
Further information on the assistance provided by the Ministry, MoCA noted, “In our efforts to ensure timely assistance to passengers during this period, the Ministry of Civil Aviation’s Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) operates 24/7 and works closely with airlines and other stakeholders. So far, 1,881 passenger complaints have been resolved through AirSewa’s social media platforms and helplines.”
Passengers requiring support can contact the ministry’s PAČR helpline: 011-24604283 / 011-24632987.
33 flights were canceled at Bangalore airport
A total of 33 flights, including 15 departures and 18 arrivals, were canceled at the Bangalore airport, while 15 departures and 14 arrivals were canceled at the Delhi airport, PTI reported citing officials.
Officials noted that the Kolkata airport had 7 cancellations – 4 departures and 3 arrivals.
The ongoing US-Israel conflict with Iran has disrupted air traffic, with parts of Middle Eastern airspace remaining closed.
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Meanwhile, Akasa Air announced that it will operate its Mumbai-Jeddah-Mumbai flight on Friday.
The airline will operate flights from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kochi to Jeddah on Saturday, it said in a post on X.
Earlier in the day, SpiceJet said it would operate 14 special flights from the UAE to bring back stranded passengers.
On Thursday, the Civil Aviation Ministry said it continues to closely monitor the developing situation in West Asia and that a total of 281 flights to be operated by Indian domestic carriers on Thursday have been cancelled.
As airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman remains open and considered safe, Air India and Air India Express have resumed flights to and from Jeddah and Muscat, the airline said on Thursday.
However, Air India Group’s scheduled flights to other destinations in West Asia remain suspended till March 10 due to the ongoing closure of airspace in several countries in the region.
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The Ministry of Civil Aviation has advised passengers to closely monitor flight updates and pay attention to communications from their airlines through their registered contact details.
The Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) coordinates issues with airlines and other stakeholders. According to the ministry, so far 1,881 passenger complaints have been addressed through AirSew, social media platforms and helpline calls.
(With input from agencies)
