Significant Return of Indian Nationals from West Asia Amid Travel Disruptions

Overview of Passenger Returns

Guwahati, March 31: Since February 28, more than 572,000 passengers have successfully returned to India from the West Asia region, as authorities work to address travel interruptions caused by extensive airspace restrictions.

Flight Operations Update

With Qatar's airspace beginning to partially reopen, it is anticipated that 8 to 10 non-scheduled commercial flights will be available to India on Tuesday.

In the UAE, approximately 85 flights are planned for the day, while operations from Oman and Saudi Arabia are continuing under regulated conditions, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

Current Airspace Restrictions

However, airspaces in Kuwait and Bahrain remain closed. To assist in passenger movement to India, special non-scheduled flights are being organized from Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Rerouting of Indian Nationals

To navigate the regional restrictions, Indian nationals are being rerouted through various transit points. Travel from Iran is being facilitated via Armenia and Azerbaijan; from Israel through Egypt and Jordan; and from Iraq through Jordan and Saudi Arabia.

Safety Measures for Indian Nationals

The MEA has been in regular contact with the Indian community in the region, providing advisories and assistance to ensure their safety.

In a related update, the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways has confirmed that all Indian seafarers in the area are safe, with no incidents reported in the last 24 hours. Currently, there are 18 Indian-flagged vessels with 485 Indian seafarers in the western Persian Gulf.

Seafarers' Safe Return

The Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping) has successfully facilitated the return of over 959 Indian seafarers so far, including nine in the past 24 hours. Port operations across India are running smoothly, with no congestion reported by authorities.