Indian airlines are likely to cancel around 444 international flights on Sunday, March 1, due to airspace restrictions over Iran and several parts of the Middle East, the civil aviation ministry said.
On February 28, domestic carriers cancelled 410 flights as tensions escalated following attacks on Iran by Israel and the United States. Officials indicated that more disruptions could follow as airlines either reroute aircraft or suspend services to prioritise passenger safety.
The ministry on Saturday reviewed the preparedness of all aviation stakeholders in view of the evolving situation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is in close coordination with airlines to ensure that safety and operational norms are strictly followed.
Airports across the country have been put on alert to handle possible diversions and reduce inconvenience to passengers. Senior officials have been stationed at key airports to oversee coordination between airlines, assist travellers and manage crowd movement at terminals.
According to the ministry, the Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) is actively monitoring passenger complaints and extending support to affected travellers. On February 28, the AirSewa portal received 216 complaints, with 105 resolved the same day.
Airlines have urged passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, as further cancellations or rescheduling cannot be ruled out depending on how the situation develops.