New Delhi: Flight operations between India and West Asia have been badly affected since the start of the war in the region, with over 10,000 flights operated by Indian carriers cancelled as of Tuesday, according to a senior government official.
According to Asangba Chuba Ao, Joint Secretary at the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Indian airlines that earlier operated around 300 to 350 daily flights to West Asia are now operating only 80 to 90 flights per day.
The sharp decline highlights the scale of disruption caused by the ongoing war in the region, IANS reported.
The conflict began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, leading to widespread airspace restrictions and safety concerns across key flight routes.
The latest figures mark a significant increase from earlier data shared in Parliament. On March 16, Union Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu informed the Lok Sabha that Indian carriers had cancelled over 4,335 flights, while foreign airlines cancelled up to 1,187 flights due to rising tensions in West Asia.
The minister had emphasised that passenger safety remains the top priority for both the government and airlines.
“Indian carriers have cancelled 4,335 flights and foreign carriers have cancelled up to 1,187 flights. The first thing we have to remember is safety. If the airspace itself is closed, there is no need for us to operate in this area,” he said.
He explained that flight operations are suspended whenever airspace in conflict zones is closed, making it unsafe for aircraft to operate.
Despite the disruptions, a considerable number of passengers have continued to travel.
The minister noted that nearly 2.19 lakh passengers flew during the initial phase of the crisis, even as tensions remained high.
Authorities, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, are closely monitoring the situation and remain in constant contact with international counterparts.
Officials have said that normal flight operations will resume only after airspace restrictions are lifted and safety conditions improve.