NEW DELHI/ MUMBAI: Indian airlines cancelled 357 international flights on Monday as the operational disruptions caused by the Middle East conflict continued for the third day.
Over 300 flights, including arrivals and departures, were cancelled at the country’s four main airports — Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai — on Monday, officials told PTI.
Many airspaces in the Middle East region remained closed amid the escalating conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran.
“The situation in the Middle East region continues to be closely monitored to facilitate relief for passengers. Due to the ongoing situation, 357 flights planned for operation today were cancelled,” the civil aviation ministry said in a post on X on Monday.
In three days starting from February 28, Indian carriers cancelled 1,117 international flights to various destinations due to the conflict.
On Monday, IndiGo cancelled more than 163 flights while Air India Group — Air India and Air India Express — cancelled over 110 services. SpiceJet cancelled at least 20 flights whereas Akasa Air did not operate eight flights, according to officials and information gathered from websites and X.
Air India operated around 20 flights to North America and Europe on Monday. The flights took the longer route of overflying Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt before entering Europe.
Meanwhile, Mumbai and Delhi airports saw 116 and 87 cancellations, respectively, during the day. The cancellations at Bengaluru and Chennai airports stood at 72 and 28 services, respectively.
Delhi airport operator DIAL on Monday said due to the ongoing political developments in the Middle East, there are delays or schedule changes for some West-bound international flights.
The ministry on Monday also said a total of 559 passenger grievances have been addressed through AirSewa, social media platforms and dedicated helpline calls in coordination with airlines and concerned stakeholders.
Various flights have been cancelled for Tuesday also.
In a post on X, Akasa Air said its flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Riyadh remain suspended for Tuesday.
“As part of our continued precautionary approach, the temporary suspension of select international flights operating through parts of the Middle Eastern airspace has been extended,” IndiGo sad in a post on X. (PTI)
