The government announced on Tuesday that airlines have made strategic adjustments to their flight schedules in response to the ongoing crisis in the Middle East. As part of these modifications, a total of 58 flights are planned for operation on March 4. Special arrangements are reportedly underway to assist stranded passengers, with airlines looking to deploy additional capacity as necessary. The civil aviation ministry is coordinating with foreign aviation authorities and Indian missions abroad to facilitate safe and orderly passenger movement.

Current Flight Operations and Cancellations

As of now, Indian airlines are operating 24 flights. Additionally, in the past 24 hours, Emirates and Etihad have conducted nine flights from the Gulf region. The ministry confirmed that it is closely monitoring airfares to prevent any unwarranted surge in ticket prices during this period. Adjustments have been made by Indian carriers as they progressively resume long-haul and ultra-long-haul operations through alternative routes that avoid restricted airspace.

Future Plans and Current Challenges

On March 4, Indian airlines are scheduled to operate 58 flights, with 30 planned by IndiGo and 23 by Air India and Air India Express. Some international carriers are also conducting limited operations in compliance with operational and airspace considerations. The crisis involving the US, Israel, and Iran has led to significant impacts on flight operations, with several airspaces in the region being closed. According to the ministry, 1,221 flights by Indian carriers and 388 flights by foreign carriers have been cancelled due to the current situation.

Recent Flight Cancellations and Passenger Assistance

Indian carriers cancelled 104 international flights on Tuesday alone, continuing the trend that began on February 28. Over the last three days, a total of 1,117 international flights have been cancelled in light of the Middle East crisis. Airlines have been advised to maintain transparent communication with their passengers and adhere to regulatory protocols regarding refunds, rescheduling, and assistance for affected travelers.

Ongoing Coordination for Safe Flight Operations

The civil aviation ministry is actively coordinating with airlines, airport operators, regulatory bodies, and the external affairs ministry. These efforts aim to ensure safe flight operations, a gradual return to normal services, and support for impacted passengers. Air India has stated on X that due to the ongoing situation, it has extended the suspension of most flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until 23:59 IST on March 4, 2026. The airline continues to monitor developments in the region closely.

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