West Asia conflict: IndiGo, Air India plans to operate 58 flight on March 4 for evacuation

Indian carriers are planning to operate 58 flights on Wednesday to West Asia where military conflict with US-Israel and Iran are escalating even as hundreds of passengers returned to India with domestic carriers flying 33  services, including nine by foreign operators.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation

said 1,221 flights by Indian carriers and 388 flights by foreign carriers operating services to and from India have been cancelled due evolving airspace situation in parts of West Asia.

Since last Saturday when the military confrontation started, 1,221 flights by Indian carriers and 388 flights by foreign carriers have been cancelled.

"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," the Ministry said in a late night statement.

Special arrangements are being made to facilitate the movement of stranded passengers, with airlines deploying additional capacity where required and coordinating closely with foreign aviation authorities and Indian missions abroad to ensure safe and orderly passenger movement, it said. 

"A total of 24 flights are being operated by Indian carriers today. In addition, Emirates and Etihad have operated 9 flights from the Gulf in the last 24 hours. Indian carriers are further planning 58 flights on 4th March, including 30 by IndiGo and 23 by Air India and Air India Express," the statement said.

It 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, it said.

The Ministry 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, it added.