Air India and Air India Express Continue Operations Amid Middle East Tensions

Airlines Maintain Services Despite Regional Strain

In light of escalating tensions in the Middle East, Air India and Air India Express have decided to keep their operations running. On Sunday, March 15, both airlines will operate a total of 72 flights to the region, including scheduled and special requirement flights. The company has confirmed that services to cities like Jeddah and Muscat will continue as usual.

Flight Availability and Destinations

Air India will provide flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Jeddah, while Air India Express will operate services from Bengaluru and Kozhikode to the same destination. Additionally, there will be a total of 12 flights scheduled to Muscat from Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai, and Thiruvananthapuram. Furthermore, there are plans for 52 extra flights to the UAE and Saudi Arabia, contingent on the situation and airport capacity.

Safety Measures in Place

The airline has stated that all flights will be conducted only after obtaining necessary permissions from Indian and relevant foreign authorities. The Air India Group is actively working to increase flights to West Asia if required, ensuring that passengers face no inconvenience.

Rising Air Travel Costs

Due to the current conditions in the Middle East, there has been a rise in fuel prices for aircraft. This increase is expected to impact passengers financially. Following Air India and Indigo, Akasa Air has also introduced a 'fuel surcharge' on its flights, indicating that airfares may rise in the coming days.