New Delhi: The escalating conflict in West Asia has significantly disrupted international flight operations, with Indian airlines cancelling 281 international services on Thursday as airspace restrictions continue to affect key aviation routes.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation said it is closely monitoring developments in the region as tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran have led to the closure of multiple air corridors used by commercial airlines.
In a statement, the ministry said passengers should regularly check flight updates as schedules may change depending on the evolving security situation. Airlines are also notifying travellers through registered contact details regarding cancellations or rescheduling.
To assist affected passengers, the government has activated a Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR). According to officials, around 1,461 passenger grievances have been addressed through the AirSewa platform, helplines and social media channels in coordination with airlines and airport authorities.
Major airports including Mumbai, Delhi and Bengaluru witnessed the cancellation of around 170 international flights due to the disruption.
Despite the broader restrictions, some limited operations have resumed. Air India and Air India Express restarted services to destinations such as Jeddah and Muscat after authorities assessed the airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman as safe for travel.
The airlines have also planned additional special flights to destinations including Dubai, Muscat and Ras Al Khaimah to help stranded passengers, subject to operational clearances.
However, scheduled operations to several other West Asian destinations remain suspended until at least March 10 due to continuing airspace closures.
Other Indian carriers have also adjusted their schedules. IndiGo said it plans to operate a limited number of flights to selected Middle Eastern destinations, while SpiceJet and Akasa Air announced special services and temporary suspensions on certain routes.
Industry analysts note that Indian airlines may face greater operational challenges because of their extensive connectivity with the Middle East, which serves as a major global aviation hub linking Europe, Asia and other regions.
Major Gulf carriers such as Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways also rely heavily on these transit corridors, making the ongoing conflict a significant disruption to international travel networks.
