24 flights being operated to facilitate movemement of stranded passengers amid West Asia conflict

NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Wednesday said that special arrangements are being made to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers in the Gulf region as tensions in West Asia rise. A total of 24 flights are being operated by Indian carriers on Wednesday. In addition, Emirates and Etihad have operated nine flights from the Gulf in the last 24 hours, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said.

Till date, 1,221 flights by Indian carriers and 388 flights by foreign carriers have been cancelled due to the ongoing situation. Indian carriers have undertaken calibrated adjustments to their schedules, with long-haul and ultra-long-haul operations being progressively resumed through alternative routings that avoid restricted airspace.

#WATCH | Mumbai, Maharashtra: Amid the flight disruptions in the wake of the US-Israel vs Iran conflict from the past few days, the flight from Dubai to Mumbai has landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.

Khushi, a student, says, “We can not express how… pic.twitter.com/FInlrbtO02

— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2026

Indian carriers are further planning 58 flights on March 4, including 30 by IndiGo and 23 by Air India and Air India Express, the Ministry said. Foreign carriers operating between India and the Gulf region are also undertaking limited operations, subject to operational and airspace considerations.

Passenger safety remains paramount. All airlines have been advised to maintain transparent communication with passengers and ensure adherence to regulatory requirements concerning refunds, rescheduling, and passenger assistance.

#WATCH | Ahmedabad, Gujarat: Another passenger, Mustaq, says, “We went to Mecca, and on 28th February we were supposed to return… We are very thankful to PM Modi for sending a flight for us…” pic.twitter.com/3p96uEUPW3

— ANI (@ANI) March 3, 2026

The ministry said it is in continuous touch with airlines and is closely monitoring airfares to ensure that there is no undue surge in ticket prices during this period.  The ministry advised passengers to check the latest flight status directly with their respective airlines before proceeding to the airport and to rely only on official sources for updates.

The ministry remains in continuous coordination with airlines, airport operators, regulatory authorities, and the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure safe operations, orderly restoration of services, and facilitation of affected passengers.

The conflict in the Middle East has entered its fourth day following the US and Israeli strikes on Iran that killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, along with other key figures in the Persian Gulf country. In retaliation, Tehran has responded with counter-strikes targeting American military bases and other Israeli assets across the region. (ANI)