New Delhi, March 6: Ongoing tensions in the Middle East have caused a ripple effect across Indian aviation, resulting in the cancellation of more than 140 flights at key international gateways on Friday. Closures in regional airspace have forced carriers to suspend or reroute services, affecting thousands of travelers in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, and Kolkata.
Officials at the Mumbai airport affirmed that a total of 73 flights were unable to operate, comprising both arrivals and departures. Meanwhile, Bengaluru and Delhi reported 33 and 29 cancellations respectively, as airlines struggled to maintain regular schedules. A spokesperson for the aviation sector declared that the safety of passengers remains the primary concern as the conflict between regional powers intensifies.
In response to the crisis, some carriers are taking proactive steps to reach displaced travelers. SpiceJet maintained that it is organizing 14 special flights from the United Arab Emirates to bring passengers back to India. Similarly, Akasa Air asserted its intent to maintain specific routes to Jeddah, signaling a gradual, if cautious, return to service for some destinations.
The Civil Aviation Ministry stated that the number of domestic carrier cancellations had reached 281 by Thursday. Government representatives affirmed that they are in constant communication with international aviation bodies to monitor the situation. Experts stated that the fluid nature of the geopolitical environment means that flight statuses may continue to change without prior notice.
