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90,000 Evacuated from Gulf Amid Conflict; Aviation Minister Updates on Safety

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu reported that approximately 90,000 people have been able to travel from the Gulf region in the past week despite the escalating West Asia conflict. He emphasized that the DGCA is in direct contact with airlines, issuing circulars to ensure 100% safety for operations to the region. Naidu also provided an update on the investigation into the fatal Air India Flight AI-171 crash in Ahmedabad, stating it is progressing well. The complete report on the crash, which killed 260 people last June, is expected by the end of the year.

Key Points: 90,000 Travel from Gulf; Aviation Minister on West Asia Conflict Safety

  • 90,000 traveled from Gulf in a week
  • DGCA issued safety circulars for airlines
  • Probe into Ahmedabad AI-171 crash progressing
  • Full crash report expected by year-end
2 min read

"Around 90,000 people able to travel in last week": Aviation Minister Naidu on flight operations amid West Asia Conflict

Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu says 90,000 people traveled from the Gulf last week amid conflict, with DGCA ensuring airline safety protocols.

"Around 90,000 people were able to travel last week. - Ram Mohan Naidu"

New Delhi, March 9

Civil Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu on Monday said that around 90,000 people have been able to travel from the Gulf region in the last week itself amid the escalating conflict, emphasising the key roles of various airlines.

Addressing the Rajya Sabha, Ram Mohan Naidu informed that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has been in direct contact with airlines and has ensured the safety.

"DGCA has engaged with airlines and issued them circulars so they can only operate when they ensure 100 per cent safety is there when they are operating to West Asia. Whatever we can do in terms of safe operations and making people travel to those destinations in India, we are able to do with the help of airlines. Around 90,000 people were able to travel last week. We are seeing that the situation might get better, so more people can travel through," he said.

The briefing comes in the wake of the war, which erupted on February 28 after joint US-Israeli strikes targeted Iran, resulting in the death of former Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and several core members of the ruling group. The situation has since escalated, with fresh attacks reported over the weekend on oil depots and water desalination plants.

On the investigation into the tragic crash of Flight Al-171 in Ahmedabad, in which more than 200 people were killed, Ram Mohan Naidu said that the probe is heading at "a very good pace" with the complete report to be out by the end of the year.

"The investigation is going at a very good pace, and the ministry is providing all the resources that are required for the AAIB. The report should be out by the completion of the year," he said.

Last year on June 12, Air India flight AI-171, a Boeing 787-8 aircraft, crashed soon after it took off from Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, killing 260 people, including 229 passengers, 12 crew members, and 19 people on the ground.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good to see proactive steps, but the number 90,000 feels like a statistic. What about the thousands still stranded? And the ticket prices have skyrocketed! The government should intervene to cap fares during such humanitarian crises. #BringThemHome
A
Aman W
Safety first is the right approach. DGCA must ensure no airline cuts corners. The Ahmedabad crash report is also due only by year-end? That seems very slow for the families waiting for answers. Justice delayed is justice denied.
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Sarah B
As someone who travels frequently to Doha for work, this is reassuring. The communication from airlines has been clear about safety protocols. Hope the situation de-escalates soon for everyone's sake.
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Vikram M
Our civil aviation machinery has shown resilience. From the Vande Bharat mission during COVID to this, we have experience in large-scale evacuations. Jai Hind! 🇮🇳 But please, also focus on the AI-171 crash investigation with urgency.
K
Kavya N
The real heroes are the flight crews operating in these conditions. It's a tough job. My prayers for everyone's safety. Also, hoping for peace in the region soon—so many Indian families have livelihoods connected to the Gulf.

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