Middle East tensions: Airlines resume select operations from Saudi, UAE

As tensions escalate in the Middle East, several airlines have suspended operations due to safety concerns and airspace closures. However, certain airlines have resumed select operations on Tuesday after reviewing the current situation.

Limited operations resumed
The Civil Aviation Ministry on Monday evening said that IndiGo plans to operate 10 special relief flights from Jeddah (Saudi Arabia) to various Indian cities on March 3.

According to sources, flights from Jeddah will be operated to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.

Akasa Air has also announced limited operations from Jeddah on March 3 and March 4. However, Akasa Air flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait, and Riyadh will remain suspended until March 4.

The airline said that the flights are being arranged to cater to customers who had already booked flights but were unable to travel due to the prevailing circumstances.

Meanwhile, SpiceJet will operate four special flights from Fujairah in the UAE to bring back stranded passengers. The flights would connect Fujairah with Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi on Tuesday and over the next few days.

The airline is also exploring the possibility of operating more special flights, subject to passenger requirements and regulatory approvals. SpiceJet will restore its scheduled Fujairah-Delhi and Fujairah-Mumbai flights from March 4.

Air India Express also resumed flight operations to and from Muscat from 3 March. However, flights to and from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates remain suspended.

Dubai Airports confirmed that a limited resumption of operations will begin on the evening of March 2, with a small number of flights permitted to operate from Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC). Travellers were advised not to proceed to the airports unless they had been contacted directly by their airline with a confirmed departure time.

Operations suspended
While several airlines have resumed operations in the Middle East after reviewing the current situation, Air India and Indian Airlines have continued to cancel services.

Air India extended the suspension of all its flights to and from the Middle East till Tuesday. However, its scheduled operations to the US, Canada, Europe, and the UK have commenced.

Indian airlines have also cancelled 357 international flights on Monday due to continued operational disruptions.

As uncertainty persists about future developments, airlines and airports have asked passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport.