Indian and foreign airlines have cancelled over 5500 flights due to the West Asia conflict. Airspace closures in the region have prominently disrupted operations. The Civil Aviation Minister stated that safety remains the utmost priority. Despite cancellations, many passengers have still travelled. Authorities are working to facilitate travel as airspace restrictions ease.
Union Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that Indian airlines have cancelled 4335 flights and foreign carriers 1187 flights so far in the wake of the West Asia conflict. The escalating conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran significantly disrupted flight operations due to airspace closures in the West Asia region. Replying to a supplementary query during Question Hour, the minister asserted that the safety of airline operations is the topmost priority.
“Regarding the cancellations that have happened because of airspace closure in West Asia almost till now, in a cumulative, Indian carriers have cancelled up to 4335 flights, and foreign carriers have cancelled up to 1187 flights,” Naidu said.
Stating that the safety of operations is the top priority during this crisis, the minister said there is no reason for us to operate in this area when the airspace is already closed. Naidu said the aviation ministry and the DGCA are in constant communication with the regulators in those specific countries. “Whenever there was a slot available for us to operate, we operated. And I can tell you that almost 2,19,780 people have travelled during this crisis time also,” the minister said.
Naidu said his department and the DGCA have ensured safe operations in collaboration with the authorities there. “And right now, there are still airspaces which are still closed, and we are trying to do our best to facilitate them. But first and foremost, the airscape has to be open. It has ot eb safe to travel; only then can we have regular travel take place,” the minister said.
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