Kamal Ghorui
Israel-US strikes on Iran hit air travel from India: The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) has assessed aviation readiness in response to the developing situation in the Middle East and its possible implications for international flight operations. The Civil Aviation Minister conducted a detailed review of preparedness and response arrangements in coordination with all relevant stakeholders.Several flights to the Middle East have been cancelled already. A high-level review meeting was held via video conference and included the Secretary of the Ministry of Civil Aviation, senior ministry officials, representatives from the Airports Authority of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, airline operators and major airport operators. Discussions centred on maintaining passenger safety, ensuring uninterrupted operations and strengthening real-time coordination amid multiple airspace restrictions and NOTAMs issued across parts of the region, said a release by the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
How India is preparing for impact on air travel
Indian airlines operating overseas routes have been instructed to closely track airspace advisories, NOTAM notifications and routing restrictions issued by concerned authorities, the release said.Carriers have also been directed to implement timely rerouting or diversions wherever necessary, strictly following international safety standards and established contingency procedures.Airports across the country, particularly major international hubs, have been placed on heightened operational readiness to handle possible flight diversions, emergency landings and passenger support needs. The Airports Authority of India and private airport operators have been asked to strengthen coordination with airlines regarding ground handling arrangements, aircraft parking, passenger services, crew management and immigration assistance when required.The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has been advised to maintain close engagement with airlines to ensure adherence to safety norms, crew duty-time regulations and operational instructions.Continuous monitoring systems are also to remain active in order to track changing airspace conditions and prevent any knock-on effects on domestic flight schedules.The ministry is working in coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure smooth information sharing and appropriate action if any urgent requirements arise involving Indian carriers or Indian nationals overseas.Passengers have been urged to remain in touch with their respective airlines for the latest travel updates and schedule changes. Airlines have been instructed to keep travellers informed in advance about delays, rerouting or diversions to reduce inconvenience.
Flight operations hit: What IndiGo , Air India are saying
Flight services from airports in Kerala to Gulf destinations were disrupted on Saturday, with several carriers cancelling operations amid the ongoing tensions in the Middle East, officials said.Separate passenger advisories were issued by Cochin International Airport Limited, Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Ltd, Kannur International Airport Limited and authorities at Calicut International Airport, cautioning travellers about possible cancellations and delays due to airspace restrictions in the region.At Kochi’s Cochin International Airport, officials said several evening and late-night IndiGo services to Doha, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi were cancelled. An Air India Express flight scheduled to depart for Sharjah was delayed.An Oman Air service from Kochi to Muscat, which departed around 2:25 pm, returned to the airport at approximately 3:40 pm, according to airport officials. An Etihad Airways flight from Kochi to Abu Dhabi also experienced delays, while an IndiGo flight operating from Dubai to Kochi was cancelled.IndiGo released a fresh travel advisory saying that it is closely observing developments across the Middle East, including the situation involving Iran and surrounding airspace. In a statement posted on X, IndiGo said:“Travel Advisory. We understand that the evolving situation across the Middle East may be concerning, and we want to assure you that our teams are here for you. We are closely monitoring ongoing developments, including updates related to Iran and the surrounding airspace. The situation is being tracked in real time, and we remain prepared to implement any necessary steps based on changing conditions.”As tensions in the region intensified, Air India and Qatar Airways also issued advisories announcing the suspension of services to destinations across the Middle East.Air India said in a statement on X that flights to all Middle East locations had been halted due to the developing situation.“In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as required. Our teams will be extending all necessary support to passengers. We recommend that you check your flight status here https://airindia.com/in/en/manage/flight-status.html for the latest updates,” the airline said.Qatar Airways also confirmed a temporary suspension of flights to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace.In a statement on X, the airline said:“Temporary Suspension of Qatar Airways Flights due to Qatari Airspace Closure. Qatar Airways Group confirms the temporary suspension of its flights to, and from, Doha due to the closure of Qatari airspace. The airline is working closely with government stakeholders and the relevant authorities to support impacted passengers and will resume operations when the airspace re-opens. Once usual operations resume, we anticipate delays to our flight schedule. We have also deployed additional ground staff at Hamad International Airport and other key airports to assist affected passengers. The safety of our passengers and employees is always our highest priority, and we apologise for any inconvenience caused.”
