Indian Airlines Rerouting Flights to US and Europe Amid Conflict in the Middle East
As the Middle East conflict escalates, Indian domestic carriers have cancelled 350 flights, but they are still attempting to maintain critical connectivity to the west by rerouting flights rather than suspending operations altogether.
IndiGo, one of the largest Indian carriers, has cancelled 360 flights until March 3 and is offering flexibility and waivers for affected passengers. Air India, the only Indian carrier operating flights to the US, has stated that all its flights to North America will operate as scheduled starting Monday. The airline has cancelled 50 international flights on Sunday and will continue to suspend flights to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until Monday at 2359 hrs IST.
Select flights to Europe scheduled for March 2 have also been cancelled, including AI117 from Amritsar to Birmingham, AI151/AI152 from Delhi to Zurich, AI157/AI158 from Delhi to Copenhagen, and AI114 from Birmingham to Delhi. However, all other flights to North America and Europe will operate as scheduled using alternative routes over available airspaces in the Middle East. These alternative routes are expected to add to flying times, and flights to New York and Newark will have technical stops in Rome.
In response to airspace closures across Tehran, Kuwait, Israel, and Baghdad Flight Information Regions, airlines are exploring southern deviations or technical halts to maintain operations. The closure of Baghdad Flight Information Region on February 28 has significantly impacted Indian carriers, as this airspace is typically used for India-Europe overflights. The closure has been extended until 2:30 pm on March 2. Doha Flight Information Region has also been closed since February 28, with validity currently until 11:30 pm on March 1.
The closure of Pakistani, Iran, and UAE airspaces is estimated to have a weekly impact of Rs. 875 crores on Indian and international airlines flying to and from India. This closure blocks access to Europe, the US, and the Persian Gulf, resulting in a significant increase in operational costs and travel time. Industry experts predict that the situation is unlikely to improve for at least a week.
The cascading effect of these closures has also begun to strain metro airports, with Mumbai temporarily declining diversion traffic due to a shortage of aircraft parking stands. Until 6 pm on Sunday, Delhi recorded 23 flight cancellations and five diverted flights, while Mumbai recorded 160 cancellations and four AOG (aircraft on ground) aircraft. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, and Kolkata also reported cancellations and delays as airlines continue to adjust schedules in response to the dynamic situation.
An official from Mumbai airport stated that all 142 parking bays were occupied, and there were no available contact or remote stands. Ahmedabad and Mumbai have also issued NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen) declining diversions due to a shortage of aircraft stands.
Despite the challenges, Indian airlines are working