Flights Cancelled: Airlines have been advised to avoid using the airspace of 11 countries for the time being: Iran, Israel, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar.
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Flights Cancelled: The direct impact of the fierce military conflict between Iran, Israel and the US is now being felt on global and Indian air traffic. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) informed on Sunday that the ongoing restrictions and security risks in the Middle East airspace have caused a lot of turmoil in the aviation sector. According to the ministry, 410 flights of Indian airlines had to be cancelled on Saturday (28 February), while this figure is expected to increase to 444 today, Sunday (1 March).
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued an emergency security advisory for Indian airlines in light of the gravity of the situation. Airlines have been advised to avoid using the airspace of 11 countries for the time being. These countries include Iran, Israel, Lebanon, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar.
The DGCA has warned that the safety of civilian aircraft is at serious risk due to the activity of cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and military aircraft in these areas.
The Israel-Iran war has significantly impacted flights to Varanasi from Gulf countries. On Saturday, two Air India Express flights from Varanasi to Sharjah were cancelled, preventing 330 passengers from traveling to Sharjah. Passengers on the evening flight had already arrived at Babatpur Airport and were sent home. Passengers on the night flight were informed of the cancellations via mobile phone messages earlier in the day.
Flight IX-185 arrived at Babatpur Airport at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, carrying 158 passengers. The flight was scheduled to return to Bengaluru an hour later. Therefore, it was diverted to Bengaluru. Returning from Bengaluru, it would have become Flight IX-186, departing for Sharjah at 10:40 p.m. This flight was cancelled. The 160 passengers scheduled to travel to Sharjah were informed via mobile phone, and therefore, they did not reach the airport.
Meanwhile, flight IX-184 from Sharjah arrived at 4:40 p.m. with 168 passengers on board. This flight was scheduled to depart as IX-183 at 5:40 p.m., but it was cancelled. Consequently, 170 passengers were unable to travel to Sharjah. The airport authorities sent them home, citing the closure of airspace in Gulf countries. Airport officials said they would update the flight operations status within the next 48 hours.
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