Indian airlines are ramping up operations to West Asia in response to ongoing airspace disruptions caused by the Iran conflict, with carriers deploying widebody aircraft to transport more passengers and operating special repatriation flights. The Ministry of Civil Aviation confirmed that ‘special arrangements are being made to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers,’ emphasizing coordination with foreign aviation authorities and Indian missions abroad to ensure ‘safe and orderly passenger movement.’

Increased Flight Capacity and Repatriation Efforts

Airlines are deploying additional capacity to bring stranded Indian citizens home, despite the continued suspension of hub operations in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, which threatens to prolong travel disruptions for international transit passengers. According to the ministry, Indian carriers have planned 58 flights on Wednesday, with 30 operated by IndiGo and 23 by Air India and Air India Express. So far, 1,221 flights by Indian carriers and 388 by foreign airlines connecting to India have been cancelled due to the ongoing situation.

IndiGo announced it would operate 10 special relief flights from Jeddah to India during the day, ‘subject to required approvals and prevailing airspace conditions,’ and is coordinating with the Consulate General of India in Jeddah. The airline said it is ‘progressively reinstating select flights’ to Athens, Muscat, Jeddah, and Madinah, and urged passengers to wait for confirmation before proceeding to the airport.

Widebody Aircraft Deployed for Higher Capacity

Air India deployed widebody aircraft on Tuesday and confirmed it would continue to do so on Wednesday. A Boeing 777 with nearly 350 seats departed Mumbai for Jeddah on Tuesday evening. The airline also announced it would operate a Boeing 787-9 with around 300 seats from Delhi to Dubai and a Boeing 787-8 with over 250 seats from Mumbai to Dubai early on Wednesday. All return sectors are expected to operate at full capacity, arriving in Mumbai and Delhi on Wednesday.

SpiceJet operated three special flights from Fujairah on Tuesday and said it would fly three more to Mumbai and Delhi on Wednesday and again on Thursday. The airline also announced the cancellation of 42 flights until Thursday. Low-cost carrier Air India Express said it would continue scheduled flights to and from Muscat on Wednesday and operate additional services to Delhi, Kochi, and Mumbai.

Global Flight Cancellations and Gulf Airline Restrictions

Data from aviation tracking firm Cirium indicates that around 9,000 flights have been cancelled globally between February 28 and March 3. Gulf carriers have not resumed commercial operations, with Etihad Airways suspending all scheduled flights to and from Abu Dhabi until 1400 UAE time on Thursday, March 5. However, some repositioning, cargo, and repatriation flights may operate with approvals. Emirates said flights to and from Dubai are suspended until 2359 UAE time on Wednesday, March 4, with a limited number of repatriation and freighter flights operating.

Passengers are advised not to head to airports without confirmation on their flights, as schedules remain fluid, depending on airspace conditions and the issuance of emergency permits by aviation authorities. The situation highlights the complex challenges faced by airlines and travelers amid the ongoing Iran-related disruptions in the region.