Disturbances to routine flight operations continue as the military standoff between the United States, Israel and Iran intensifies in the Middle East. In light of the unfolding situation, Indian carrier IndiGo and Air India Group announced special flights to and from several locations in the Middle East, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah, today. Track updates about developments in the UAE
According to the airlines’ operational plans, Air India will operate 58 flights to and from West Asia, and IndiGo will begin operating flights to 8 destinations across the Middle East from Wednesday, March 11.
This comes amid the Indian Aviation Ministry saying that Indian airlines have also sought operational flexibility to ensure safe movement of passengers and support evacuation when needed. The ministry said in its statement that data indicates that Indian airlines operated 45 incoming flights with 7,047 passengers arriving from West Asia on March 9.
What did the airlines say?
Air India and Air India Express are operating a total of 36 dedicated non-scheduled flights to and from the UAE depending on “availability of times and other prevailing conditions at the respective point of departure at that time”, the Air India Group said. “These flights are operated with the required permissions from the relevant Indian and local regulatory authorities,” the group said in its statement.
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Air India will operate a round-trip flight from Delhi and Mumbai to Jeddah, while Air India Express will operate a round-trip flight from Hyderabad and Kozhikode to Jeddah.
Air India Express will also operate scheduled services to Muscat, including one round trip from Delhi, Mumbai, Kannur, Thiruvananthapuram and Tiruchirappalli, and two round trips from Kochi.
Check Air India’s operational plan here.
Likewise, IndiGo said it will operate flights to 8 destinations across the Middle East, along with select routes to Europe on March 11, Wednesday.
What the Ministry of Civil Aviation said
The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Tuesday said it was “closely monitoring developments” in West Asia and their potential impacts on air travel between India and the region, adding that airlines are making appropriate operational arrangements in response to the gas flaring situation there, while passenger safety and continuity of services remain the top priorities.
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The Ministry also said that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has coordinated with relevant authorities to facilitate additional arrival and departure slots and allow Muscat International Airport to be used as an alternative airport for flights to/from destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Alan, Fujairah, Jeddah and Medina.
