India Navigates Disrupted Skies and Stranded Citizens Amidst Escalating US-Iran Conflict
As tensions between the United States and Iran continue to escalate following the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, India is focused on ensuring the safety and repatriation of its citizens in the region. Disruptions to air travel have left many stranded, prompting swift action from airlines and the Indian government.
Flight Operations Resume with Adjustments
Several airlines are working to resume flight operations, albeit with adjustments to routes and schedules. Air India Express will resume flights to and from Muscat on March 3, serving Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai, and Tiruchirappalli . Etihad Airways has already operated four evacuation flights from Abu Dhabi, bringing stranded Indians home . Emirates will operate services between Dubai and five Indian cities – Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai, and Hyderabad – starting March 3 . IndiGo is scheduled to operate ten special relief flights from Jeddah to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad on March 3 . EaseMyTrip will operate special charter flights from Fujairah to Delhi and Mumbai on March 3 .
The civil aviation ministry is closely monitoring the airspace situation and its impact on international flight operations, with Indian carriers making “calibrated adjustments” to schedules and utilizing alternative routes to avoid restricted airspace .
Impact on Indian Nationals
Tragically, at least three Indian nationals have lost their lives in the conflict. One died in a drone boat attack on a Marshall Islands-flagged vessel, and two crew members of the Palau-flagged oil tanker Skylight were killed near Oman . Many more remain stranded in Iran, Israel, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, causing significant distress to their families.
Government Response and Diplomatic Efforts
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held phone conversations with the King of Bahrain, the Crown Prince and PM of Saudi Arabia, and the King of Jordan, expressing India’s solidarity and thanking them for the care of the Indian community . State governments, including Odisha and Andhra Pradesh, have formed working groups to monitor the safety of residents stranded in the region and facilitate their return .
Protests and Security Concerns in Jammu and Kashmir
Protests have erupted in Jammu and Kashmir following the death of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, with at least fourteen people, including six security personnel, injured . Restrictions remain in place, and mobile internet speeds have been limited as a precautionary measure.
Ongoing Disruptions to Air Travel
The conflict, triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, has led to widespread airspace closures across the Middle East, including Israel, Qatar, Syria, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates . Over 2,800 flights were cancelled across the Middle East on Sunday, with West Asian carriers accounting for around 1,600 of those cancellations . Nearly 350 flights were cancelled in India on the same day, including 100 from Delhi and 125 from Mumbai .
The situation remains fluid, and continued monitoring of airspace and coordination with airlines are crucial to ensure the safe return of stranded Indians.