40 flights carrying 7,205 passengers arrived in India from West Asia on March 5: MoCA
New Delhi, March 7
The Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia that is affecting air travel between India and the region, according to an official statement.
The ministry said airlines are making necessary operational adjustments in view of prevailing conditions to ensure passenger safety and the orderly conduct of flight operations.
As per the official statement, passenger movement data for March 5 shows that a total of 40 inbound flights operated by Indian carriers arrived in India from the West Asia region, carrying 7,205 passengers. With this, the cumulative number of passenger arrivals from the region has reached 14,992.
The ministry further said that for March 6, 2026, a total of 51 flights are planned to be operated by Indian carriers, subject to operational feasibility and prevailing conditions in the region.
According to the statement, the Ministry of Civil Aviation is in continuous contact with airlines and is also closely monitoring airfares to ensure that there is no undue surge in ticket prices during this period.
"The Ministry continues to maintain close coordination with airlines and relevant stakeholders and is monitoring the situation to facilitate passenger movement and minimise disruption. Passengers are advised to remain in contact with their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding flight schedules," the ministry said, adding that further updates will be issued as necessary.
Earlier, the ministry had confirmed that a total of 281 flights scheduled to operate on Thursday by Indian domestic carriers were cancelled amid the evolving situation in West Asia. The Ministry of Civil Aviation said it continues to closely monitor the developments and take necessary steps to manage the impact on air travel.
In a post on X, the ministry said, "The Ministry of Civil Aviation continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in West Asia. As of March 5, a total of 281 flights scheduled to operate today by Indian domestic carriers have been cancelled."
The ministry also said that a dedicated Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) is functioning round the clock to provide real-time support to travellers. A total of 1,461 grievances have been addressed during this period through the AirSewa portal, social media platforms and helpline calls in coordination with airlines and other stakeholders.
This comes amid escalating tensions in West Asia after a joint US-Israel military strike on February 28 on Iranian territory resulted in the death of its Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior figures, prompting a fierce response from Tehran.
In retaliation, Iran launched waves of drone and missile attacks across multiple Arab countries as the conflict now entered its seventh day.
Tehran responded with counter-strikes targeting American military bases and other Israeli assets across the region.
— ANI
Reader Comments
My cousin was on one of those flights from Dubai. She said the crew was incredibly calm and professional despite the obvious stress. The PACR helpline was also helpful for our family's queries. A big relief to have them home safe.
While the evacuation efforts are commendable, I hope the ministry is truly keeping a check on airfares. In times of crisis, some airlines see it as an opportunity to hike prices. The statement says they are monitoring, but we need strict action if profiteering happens.
This is a worrying situation for everyone with family or business in the Gulf. The numbers show the scale - 14,992 people have returned so far. Hoping the planned 51 flights for today can operate without issues. Safety first.
The real heroes are the pilots and cabin crew flying into and out of a potential conflict zone to bring our people back. Jai Hind! 🙏 The government should ensure they get proper recognition and support.
The cancellation of 281 domestic flights is a huge ripple effect. It's not just about West Asia routes; the entire aviation network is under strain. Hope the situation de-escalates soon for the sake of regional stability and travel.
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