US-Iran War. Due to the ongoing war between America and Iran, the air space of the Middle East is almost completely closed. This air space closure has affected flights to and from the Middle East from almost all the major airports of the country. Talking about Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Chennai airports, about 200 flights to and from these airports to the Middle East have been canceled today. Among these, there are some flights which took off today for other airports in the Middle East including Dubai, but were diverted midway and returned to their origin airport. That means, the airports from where these flights had taken off for the Middle East have been sent back to the same airport.

1. Talking about Delhi Airport, about 80 flights to and from Indira Gandhi International Airport to the Middle East have been cancelled. The canceled flights included 36 departure and 44 arrival flights.
2. Similarly, till 3 pm on March 3, about 41 flights to the Middle East have been canceled from Bengaluru Airport. The canceled flights include 41 arrival flights and the same number of departure flights.
3. These flights, which were canceled from Bengaluru airport, were to operate between Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai and Doha. A new update will be issued by the airport after 3 pm.
4. Apart from this, 30 flights operating from Chennai Airport between Kuwait, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Bahrain and Muscat have been cancelled. These include 15 arrival and 15 departure flights.
5. According to Mumbai Airport sources, most of the flights scheduled for the Middle East have been cancelled. The airport has advised to contact the airlines for the status of flights.

Is a special flight going to be started for Indians stranded in the Middle East?
Due to the sudden war between the US and Iran, thousands of Indian citizens are stranded in different cities of the Middle East. To evacuate these Indian citizens, the Union Civil Aviation Ministry has decided to start a special flight. According to the ministry, four special flights will be operated from Jeddah to India on March 3. These flights will fly from Jeddah to Mumbai, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad.

Where and how will tickets be booked for the special flight operating from Jeddah?
The Ministry has clarified that new tickets are not being booked for special flights. At present, special flights are being operated for those passengers whose tickets were already booked, but due to the current situation, they could not travel by air. Special flights are being operated for the safe return of Indians stranded in various cities of the Middle East.

Is Indigo Airlines also planning to operate special flights from the Middle East?
Yes, Indigo has also planned to operate 10 special flights from Jeddah to India on March 3. However, the operation of these flights will depend on the necessary approvals and airspace conditions. IndiGo is assisting the passengers in collaboration with the Indian Consulate in Jeddah.