New Delhi is witnessing a cautious return of flights to the Middle East as major carriers like IndiGo, Air India, and SpiceJet restart limited services following weeks of disruptions caused by escalating conflicts involving the US, Israel, and Iran. Starting Friday, these airlines are operating select routes while thousands of flights remain canceled due to ongoing airspace restrictions.
IndiGo announced it will run 17 flights to eight Middle Eastern destinations, covering 34 sectors, in coordination with government authorities to ensure passenger safety. The airline emphasized its commitment to gradually restoring full operations as regional stability improves.
Air India and Air India Express have resumed services to Jeddah and Muscat after Saudi Arabia and Oman confirmed their airspaces are open. SpiceJet plans special flights from the UAE to India on March 6 and 7, with additional services on March 8 to facilitate stranded passengers.
Passengers with existing bookings are advised to await direct communication from airlines before heading to airports. Air India is also preparing special repatriation flights from Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah, and Fujairah on March 6, pending regulatory approvals.
Services to other West Asian destinations remain suspended until March 10. Affected travelers with tickets issued by March 4 for travel between February 28 and March 8 can reschedule within a month without extra fees.
Data shows Dubai International Airport handled nearly double the flights on Thursday compared to the previous day, reaching 25% of normal capacity. Over 44,000 flights were scheduled between February 28 and March 5, with more than 25,000 cancellations reported.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has activated passenger assistance control rooms and is coordinating with airlines. The Civil Aviation Ministry is monitoring fares to prevent price gouging during this period, ensuring relief for millions impacted by the turmoil.