Many Indian airlines rescheduled or canceled their operations on Monday night after some Middle Eastern countries, including Qatar, temporarily closed their airspace amid growing security concerns in the Region.
In a statement, Air India said it has ceased all operations to the Region, as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe, with immediate effect until further notice.
The airlines will also be diverting North America-bound flights back to their places of origin.
"Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the Region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect until further notice. Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins, and others are being diverted back to India or rerouted away from the closed airspaces," read a statement by Air India.
"We request the understanding of all passengers who may be affected by this disruption beyond an airline's control. Air India is in continuous consultation with its external security advisors and is vigilantly monitoring the evolving situation. We will keep our passengers informed of any updates. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our number one priority," the statement further said.
IndiGo also warned of disruptions in its flights. The airline urged passengers to check their flight status regularly and explore alternative options on its website. "In view of the evolving situation in the Middle East, some of our flights may experience delays or diversions," the airline said.
Akasa Airline also said there can be potential disruptions: "Our teams are closely monitoring the evolving situation to ensure that all flight operations are within safe and approved airspace."
Economic Times said data from aviation analytics firm Cirium revealed that Air India's AI 995, operating from Delhi, returned to Delhi. Similarly, Air India Express flights from Amritsar and Jaisalmer, both bound for Dubai, were rerouted to Mumbai and Jaisalmer, respectively. In contrast, a Swiss International flight from Zurich headed to Dubai was diverted to Cairo.
According to CNN, on Monday, at least 26 commercial flights headed to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, or Doha, Qatar, were diverted due to airspace closures in the Middle East.
CNN quoted Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, saying 22 flights were headed to Doha, with the rest bound for Dubai. Some flights diverted to other airports along their route, while others returned to their departing airport.
Qatar Airways operated twelve of the Doha flights diverted, Cirium said.
Cirium said another 39 flights from North America and 210 flights from Europe are scheduled to depart later today for the Middle East. If the airspace doesn't reopen, those flights could be canceled.
