India’s aviation sector is scrambling to restore critical Gulf connectivity even as the West Asia conflict triggers one of the worst airspace disruptions in recent years, grounding thousands of flights and stranding passengers across continents.
Against this backdrop, InterGlobe Aviation-run IndiGo will operate 10 special relief flights from Jeddah to India on March 3 to evacuate stranded passengers. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said the country’s largest carrier is coordinating with the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to facilitate travel, with operations subject to regulatory approvals and prevailing airspace conditions.
At the same time, Air India Express plans to partially restart its West Asia operations from March 3, beginning with services from Muscat to multiple Indian cities. The airline intends to operate Muscat services to Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai and Tiruchirappalli.
The calibrated resumption comes amid widespread suspensions. Air India, SpiceJet and Akasa Air, along with IndiGo and Air India Express, have suspended operations to several Middle East destinations after airspaces over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain, Qatar and Oman were closed.
Since February 28, around 1,050 flights operated by Indian carriers have been cancelled. On March 2 alone, domestic airlines cancelled 357 international flights, with more disruptions expected through the week as restrictions remain in place following joint US–Israel strikes on Iran and retaliatory Iranian action.
Foreign carriers have also scaled back services. Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, Gulf Air, Saudia, Oman Air and Kuwait Airways have together cancelled over 4,000 flights since February 28, compounding the global ripple effects.
The ministry said airlines are making calibrated schedule adjustments, with long-haul and ultra-long-haul services being progressively resumed through alternative routings that avoid restricted airspace. Aircraft and crew repositioning measures are under way to restore operational stability.
Beyond the immediate inconvenience to travellers, the prolonged closures are expected to weigh heavily on airline finances and could disrupt international expansion plans in the final quarter of 2025-26, adding fresh uncertainty to an industry already battling cost pressures and volatile fuel prices.
