Indian airlines cancelled 278 international flights on Friday amid disruptions caused by the escalating conflict in the Middle East, while 96 flights to and from the region were scheduled to operate, the government said. The civil aviation ministry said flight operations have been affected across multiple routes due to airspace closures and restrictions in parts of West Asia, where tensions involving the United States, Israel and Iran have intensified in recent days.
“Due to the ongoing developments in West Asia and the resulting airspace restrictions, flight operations have been impacted across several sectors,” the ministry said in a statement.
According to the ministry, 96 flight operations by Indian domestic carriers were scheduled for Friday to and from destinations in the Middle East. However, 278 flights planned for the day were cancelled.
In a later statement, the ministry said 51 flights are expected to operate, depending on operational feasibility and prevailing conditions.
The government also released data on passenger movements from the region. On March 5, a total of 40 inbound flights operated by Indian carriers arrived in India from West Asia, carrying 7,205 passengers. This took the cumulative number of passenger arrivals from the region to 14,992, the ministry said.
Earlier on Friday, officials said more than 140 international flights were canceled at major airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru and Kolkata because of the regional crisis.
At Mumbai airport, 39 departures and 34 arrivals were canceled. Bengaluru airport reported 33 cancellations, including 15 departures and 18 arrivals. At Delhi airport, 15 departures and 14 arrivals were canceled. Kolkata airport recorded seven cancellations, including four departures and three arrivals, according to officials.
Airlines have begun adjusting schedules and introducing limited operations as they assess safety conditions and airspace availability.
Akasa Air said it would operate its Mumbai–Jeddah–Mumbai flight on Friday. The airline also plans to operate flights from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Kochi to Jeddah on Saturday, according to a post on X.
SpiceJet said it would operate 14 special flights from the United Arab Emirates to bring back stranded passengers.
Source: India Latest News, Breaking News Today, Top News Headlines | Times Now
