What is the story about?
India’s aviation sector continues to face widespread disruptions due to the ongoing West Asia airspace crisis, with more than 2,600 flights cancelled by Indian airlines since February 28. At the same time, both Indian and foreign carriers are operating special and scheduled services to bring stranded passengers back home.
Government sources said nearly 88,000 passengers have been brought back to India from West Asia since February 28, as airlines stepped up efforts to evacuate travellers affected by the crisis.
Between February 28 and March 8, Indian airlines operated 286 flights, carrying 49,198 passengers from West Asia to India. During the same period, foreign airlines operated 166 flights, bringing back 38,710 passengers.
Among Indian carriers, IndiGo carried the most passengers at 20,901, followed by Air India Express with 10,745. Among foreign carriers, Emirates transported the largest number of passengers back to India, carrying 18,286 travellers during the period.
The disruption has forced Indian carriers to cancel thousands of flights to West Asia due to restricted airspace and operational challenges.
Airline-wise cancellations since March 1 (excluding February 28):
When 196 cancellations recorded on February 28 are included, the total number of cancelled flights by Indian airlines exceeds 2,600.
The scale of the disruption peaked in the early days of the crisis, with hundreds of flights cancelled each day.
Daily cancellations
Despite the ongoing challenges, airlines are gradually restoring operations. Indian carriers are planning around 50 flights to West Asia on March 9.
Air India and Air India Express will together operate 24 scheduled flights to Jeddah and Muscat. The two airlines are also planning to operate 32 additional ad hoc flights to and from multiple destinations in the UAE, subject to slot availability, regulatory approvals and operational conditions.
With thousands of passengers still trying to return home, the Aviation Ministry said it is closely monitoring airfares to ensure ticket prices remain reasonable and that there is no undue surge in fares during the disruption.
Authorities continue to coordinate with airlines to maintain connectivity and bring stranded passengers back to India as the regional aviation situation evolves.
Government sources said nearly 88,000 passengers have been brought back to India from West Asia since February 28, as airlines stepped up efforts to evacuate travellers affected by the crisis.
Between February 28 and March 8, Indian airlines operated 286 flights, carrying 49,198 passengers from West Asia to India. During the same period, foreign airlines operated 166 flights, bringing back 38,710 passengers.
Among Indian carriers, IndiGo carried the most passengers at 20,901, followed by Air India Express with 10,745. Among foreign carriers, Emirates transported the largest number of passengers back to India, carrying 18,286 travellers during the period.
The disruption has forced Indian carriers to cancel thousands of flights to West Asia due to restricted airspace and operational challenges.
Airline-wise cancellations since March 1 (excluding February 28):
| Airline |
Flights Cancelled
|
| IndiGo | 1,098 |
| Air India Express | 818 |
| Air India | 240 |
| SpiceJet | 173 |
| Akasa Air | 101 |
When 196 cancellations recorded on February 28 are included, the total number of cancelled flights by Indian airlines exceeds 2,600.
The scale of the disruption peaked in the early days of the crisis, with hundreds of flights cancelled each day.
Daily cancellations
- February 28 – 196
- March 1 – 348
- March 2 – 357
- March 3 – 319
- March 4 – 269
- March 5 – 281
- March 6 – 278
- March 7 – around 270
- March 8 – 279
Despite the ongoing challenges, airlines are gradually restoring operations. Indian carriers are planning around 50 flights to West Asia on March 9.
Air India and Air India Express will together operate 24 scheduled flights to Jeddah and Muscat. The two airlines are also planning to operate 32 additional ad hoc flights to and from multiple destinations in the UAE, subject to slot availability, regulatory approvals and operational conditions.
With thousands of passengers still trying to return home, the Aviation Ministry said it is closely monitoring airfares to ensure ticket prices remain reasonable and that there is no undue surge in fares during the disruption.
Authorities continue to coordinate with airlines to maintain connectivity and bring stranded passengers back to India as the regional aviation situation evolves.
