Middle East Turmoil Grounds Flights: Airlines Scramble Amidst Airspace Closures

The volatile situation in the Middle East has led to a major disruption in flight operations. The Indian Civil Aviation Ministry announced that while 96 flights to and from the region were scheduled on Friday, 278 international services have been cancelled due to airspace restrictions and closures.

This conflict, involving the US, Israel, and Iran, has significantly impacted the aviation sector, with major Indian hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata reporting flight cancellations. On Friday alone, these airports saw the cancellation of over 140 international flights, contributing to travel chaos.

Airlines such as Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air India Express are working to mitigate the situation by scheduling special and non-scheduled flights to the Middle East to repatriate stranded passengers. The aviation ministry advises passengers to remain vigilant about updates and maintain communication with their airlines.