Indian airlines suspend flights to West Asia amid rising tensions

The company said it was also ceasing opertions to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect.

New Delhi: Indian airlines have suspended their flights to the Middle East due to the escalating tensions in the region, impacting thousands of passengers and also resulting in significant financial loss for the carriers.

Air India on Monday night said that it has ceased all operations to West Asia as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect.

"Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins and others are being diverted back to India or re-routed away from the closed airspaces," a statement said citing "developing situation in the Middle East".

"We request the understanding of all passengers who may be affected by this disruption that’s beyond an airline’s control. Air India is in continuous consultation with its external security advisors and is vigilantly monitoring the evolving situation," an Air India spokesperson said.

IndiGo said some of its flights may experience delays or diversions. "These adjustments are being made to ensure operations remain within safe and compliant airspace," an airline statement said.

SpiceJet in a post on X said some of its flights may be affected on account of the airspace closure in the Middle East.

In a post on X, Akasa Air said that its flight operations to and from the region may be impacted due to the prevailing situation in the Middle East.

With PTI inputs