Civil Aviation Ministry Monitors Middle East Airspace Disruptions; Relief Flights Planned for Stranded Passengers

The Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the evolving airspace situation across parts of the Middle East, as disruptions continue to impact international flight operations to and from India.

In response to the developing scenario, Indian carriers have initiated calibrated schedule adjustments, particularly affecting long-haul and ultra-long-haul routes. Airlines are progressively resuming services through alternative routings that bypass restricted airspace, while aircraft and crew repositioning measures are underway to stabilise operations at the earliest.

Relief Measures for Stranded Passengers

To mitigate inconvenience, airlines are putting in place special arrangements for stranded passengers. Additional capacity is being deployed wherever feasible, and carriers are coordinating closely with foreign aviation authorities and Indian diplomatic missions abroad to ensure safe and orderly travel.

In a significant relief initiative, IndiGo has scheduled 10 special operations from Jeddah to various destinations in India on 3 March 2026. These flights, subject to regulatory approvals and prevailing airspace conditions, aim to facilitate the return of affected Indian nationals. The airline is working in coordination with the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to streamline passenger facilitation.

Foreign carriers operating between India and the Gulf region have also undertaken limited operations, subject to operational feasibility and airspace clearance.

Safety and Transparency Prioritised

Authorities have reiterated that passenger safety remains paramount. Airlines have been directed to maintain transparent communication with travellers and strictly adhere to regulatory norms regarding refunds, rescheduling, and passenger assistance.

Travellers have been advised to verify the latest flight status directly with their respective airlines before proceeding to airports and to rely solely on official channels for updates.

High-Level Review

The situation was reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Civil Aviation Minister Rammohan Naidu, with the participation of Civil Aviation Secretary Samir Kumar Sinha and senior officials.

The Ministry continues to maintain close coordination with airlines, airport operators, regulatory authorities, and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure safe operations, orderly restoration of services, and effective facilitation for affected passengers.

Further updates are expected as the situation evolves.

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Source: PIB

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