The Ministry of Civil Aviation of India is closely monitoring ongoing developments in the Middle East and assessing their potential implications for air travel between India and the region.
India’s Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, is personally overseeing the situation and maintaining direct engagement with all relevant stakeholders to ensure timely and coordinated responses. Airlines are making appropriate operational adjustments in response to the evolving situation, with passenger safety and continuity of services remaining the top priorities.
Operational data for March 9, 2026, indicates that 45 inbound flights operated by Indian carriers arrived in India from the Middle East, carrying a total of 7,407 passengers.
Indian carriers have also sought operational flexibility to facilitate safe passenger movement and provide evacuation support where necessary. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation India (DGCA) has coordinated with relevant authorities to facilitate additional arrival and departure slots and has permitted the use of Muscat International Airport as an en-route alternate airport for flights to and from destinations including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Ras Al Khaimah, Al Ain, Fujairah, Jeddah and Medina.
According to airlines’ operational plans, Air India and Air India Express will commence flights to Riyadh starting March 12, 2026, while IndiGo will launch Mumbai–Riyadh–Mumbai services from the same date. SpiceJet has also been facilitated to obtain alternate airport approvals to ensure operational safety and flexibility in the region. Meanwhile, Akasa Air has been advised to align its planned Mumbai–Riyadh–Mumbai services with prevailing operational conditions, with the service currently scheduled to commence on March 12, 2026.
The Ministry is maintaining regular coordination with airlines and other concerned stakeholders to ensure passenger movement continues in an orderly manner. Airfares are also being closely monitored to ensure ticket prices remain reasonable and to prevent any undue surge during this period.
Passengers are advised to remain in contact with their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding flight schedules and travel arrangements. The Ministry will continue to review the situation and provide further updates as necessary.
