Air India has announced an increase in flight capacity to five major cities in Europe and New York (JFK) in response to heightened demand for travel options due to the ongoing unrest in West Asia. In a recent announcement, the airline stated that between March 10 and March 18, 2026, it will operate 78 extra flights across various routes.

These services aim to provide added capacity during a time when travel options remain limited. The routes include Delhi-New York (JFK), Delhi-London (Heathrow), Mumbai-London (Heathrow), Delhi-Frankfurt, Delhi-Paris (CDG), Delhi-Amsterdam, Delhi-Zurich, as well as flights to Male and Colombo.

Flight Details and Aircraft Used

The additional operations will result in an increase of 17,660 seats across nine routes, serving passengers traveling in both directions. Flights destined for Europe will utilize Boeing 787-8 aircraft, while services to Male and Colombo will be operated with Airbus A320neo aircraft. Flights to New York (JFK) are contingent on securing the necessary regulatory approvals and will be operated with Air India’s Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.

Ongoing Operations Amid Regional Restrictions

In light of the current airspace restrictions affecting parts of West Asia, Air India and its subsidiary, Air India Express, have stated that they continue to conduct scheduled flights to select destinations in the region. Additionally, both airlines are offering extra non-scheduled flights to assist passengers who may be stranded due to these restrictions. The airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman remains accessible, allowing for the continuation of regular services to and from Jeddah and Muscat.

Scheduled Connections to West Asia

Air India is providing scheduled flights connecting Delhi and Mumbai with Jeddah, while Air India Express maintains services connecting Muscat with several Indian cities, including Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai, and Kannur. Flights from Bengaluru, Kozhikode, and Mangaluru to Jeddah are also being operated by Air India Express.

The airlines announced that on March 8, they would initiate additional non-scheduled flights after receiving the necessary approvals from Indian and local authorities.

Special Services for Affected Travelers

To assist travelers impacted by regional restrictions, Air India is set to operate special services between Delhi and Dubai and Mumbai and Dubai. Furthermore, Air India Express will conduct 30 additional flights linking various Indian cities with multiple destinations in the United Arab Emirates, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah.

These supplementary flights are primarily designed to accommodate stranded travelers, with priority given to those who have existing bookings with either airline.

Flight Cancellations Amid Ongoing Restrictions

Air India Express has confirmed the cancellation of all scheduled flights to and from Bahrain, Dammam, Doha, Kuwait, and Riyadh until March 13 due to the ongoing restrictions in the region. Similarly, Air India’s scheduled services to and from Dammam, Doha, and Riyadh will remain suspended until March 10. The airlines are working diligently to provide flight options to mitigate the challenges posed by the current situation.

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