IndiGo Plans Special Relief Flights from Jeddah
In a timely move to ease travel distress, IndiGo is set to operate 10 special relief flights from Jeddah to multiple Indian cities on March 3, offering stranded passengers a much-needed route home amid the Middle East conflict. The initiative comes as airspace uncertainty continues to disrupt schedules, leaving travellers anxious for updates.
“IndiGo has planned 10 special relief operations from Jeddah to India on 3 March, 2026 to facilitate the return of stranded passengers, subject to required approvals and prevailing airspace conditions. IndiGo is coordinating with the Consulate General of India at Jeddah for passenger facilitation,” Press Trust of India quoted the ministry as saying in a statement.
Passengers are advised to stay alert for official notifications and schedule changes.
Ministry of Civil Aviation Monitoring Airspace Situation Amid Iran Conflict
The Ministry of Civil Aviation announced through its Monday statement that it conducts ongoing surveillance of changing airspace conditions throughout the Middle East while evaluating their effects on global flight operations. Officials noted that airlines are being advised to remain flexible as schedules may change depending on safety assessments and regional developments in the coming days.
Ministry of Civil Aviation (India) Tracks Middle East Crisis; Dubai Issues Travel Alert Airways Runs Evacuation Flights from Abu Dhabi
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation (India) stated that authorities are continuously monitoring the evolving situation in the Middle East to support stranded passengers. The ministry added that, due to the ongoing crisis, 357 scheduled flight operations for the day were cancelled.
Authorities in Dubai advised travellers to visit airports only if they had received direct notifications, as operations resumed on a “limited resumption of operations”. On Monday, at least 15 flights operated by Etihad Airways departed from Abu Dhabi International Airport to evacuate stranded passengers, according to Flightradar24. The flights connected multiple destinations, including Islamabad, Paris, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Cairo, and London, while regular commercial services remained suspended.
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.
We at the Ministry of Civil Aviation are closely monitoring passenger grievances…
— MoCA_GoI (@MoCA_GoI) March 2, 2026
Indian Airlines Cancel 357 International Flights Amid Middle East Airspace Closures
Indian airlines cancelled 357 international flights on Monday, extending disruption for a day as the East conflict intensified. Officials told Press Trust of India that over 300 arrivals and departures were affected across airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai amid airspace closures due to tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Flight Operations Update: Relief Services Begin While Several Airlines Maintain Suspensions Amid Regional Crisis
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Air India Express: The Indian airline Air India Express will start its Muscat to India flight service on March 3 as its first flight operation since the regional flight ban which followed the crisis suspensions. The airline will operate its first flight service after the crisis when it receives the necessary permits to begin its operations.
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Akasa Air: The airline Akasa Air maintains its flight suspension to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh because of the current Middle East conflicts and the uncertainty about airspace and their need to take safety precautions.
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Emirates: From March 2 Emirates has resumed limited flight operations which allow existing booked passengers to travel while most of its services remain suspended and the airline plans to change its flight schedule based on regional developments.
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Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways has stopped all flights on affected routes because of current regional conflicts and airspace closures. The airline will assess the situation and share its operational status on March 3.
(With Inputs From PTI)
Aishwarya is a journalism graduate with over three years of experience thriving in the buzzing corporate media world. She’s got a knack for decoding business news, tracking the twists and turns of the stock market, covering the masala of the entertainment world, and sometimes her stories come with just the right sprinkle of political commentary. She has worked with several organizations, interned at ZEE and gained professional skills at TV9 and News24, And now is learning and writing at NewsX, she’s no stranger to the newsroom hustle. Her storytelling style is fast-paced, creative, and perfectly tailored to connect with both the platform and its audience. Moto: Approaching every story from the reader’s point of view, backing up her insights with solid facts.
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