NEW DELHI: The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) mentioned that greater than 410 flights operated by home carriers have been cancelled on Saturday and round 444 flights are anticipated to be cancelled on Sunday as airspace restrictions proceed over Iran and elements of the Center East. In a publish on X, the ministry acknowledged: “Because of airspace restrictions over Iran and elements of the Center East, 410 flights of home carriers have been cancelled on 28 February, and 444 flights are anticipated to be cancelled on 1 March.”Amid widespread cancellations and airspace restrictions over elements of the Center East, the aviation ministry mentioned that the authorities are carefully monitoring the state of affairs and coordinating with airways and airports to minimise passenger inconvenience.
“DGCA is sustaining shut coordination with airways to make sure full compliance with security and operational rules. Passengers are suggested to test and ensure their flight standing with the respective airways earlier than continuing to the airport. Main airports stay on operational alert to handle potential diversions and guarantee seamless passenger facilitation. Passenger help, airline coordination, and terminal crowd administration are being carefully monitored, with senior officers deployed on the bottom,” the ministry additional wrote.Highlighting the measures taken to handle passenger considerations amid large-scale cancellations, the ministry mentioned that its grievance redressal mechanisms stay absolutely lively to help affected travellers.“The Ministry’s Passenger Help Management Room (PACR) continues to carefully monitor passenger considerations and facilitate immediate redressal. On 28 February, AirSewa recorded 216 grievances, and 105 grievances have been resolved throughout the identical interval making certain essential help to affected passengers. All stakeholders are working in coordination to make sure orderly dealing with of affected passengers and well timed help to all involved travellers,” the assertion added. The cancellations come amid escalating tensions in West Asia following coordinated US-Israel strikes on Iran and subsequent retaliatory actions by Tehran focusing on Israel and US army bases within the area. A number of international locations have imposed airspace restrictions and issued NOTAMs, affecting worldwide flight operations.Earlier, Air India introduced the cancellation of 28 worldwide flights scheduled for March 1 connecting India with cities in Europe, the USA and Canada, citing the evolving state of affairs within the Center East.The affected routes embrace companies between Delhi and London (Heathrow), Mumbai and London (Heathrow), Amritsar and London (Gatwick), Delhi and New York (JFK), Mumbai and New York (JFK), Mumbai and Newark, Delhi and Chicago (through Vienna), Delhi and Toronto (through Vienna), Delhi and Frankfurt, Mumbai and Frankfurt and Delhi and Paris.The airline had earlier suspended all flights to Center East locations till 2359 hours on March 1, stating that security stays its highest precedence. It mentioned that affected passengers are being knowledgeable and supplied rebooking and refund choices.IndiGo additionally issued a journey advisory saying that it’s carefully monitoring developments throughout the Center East, together with updates associated to Iran and surrounding airspace and stays ready to take essential steps primarily based on altering situations.Flight disruptions have been significantly seen at airports in Kerala. A number of companies from Kochi to Doha, Dubai, Ras Al Khaimah and Abu Dhabi have been cancelled, whereas some flights have been delayed or diverted. Qatar Airways quickly suspended flights to and from Doha following the closure of Qatari airspace.The Aviation Minister carried out a high-level evaluate assembly through video convention with senior officers from the ministry, the Airports Authority of India, the Directorate Basic of Civil Aviation (DGCA), airline operators and main airport operators. Discussions centered on sustaining passenger security, uninterrupted operations and real-time coordination.Airways have been instructed to carefully observe airspace advisories and implement rerouting or diversions wherever essential in step with worldwide security requirements. Airports throughout India, particularly main worldwide hubs, have been positioned on heightened alert to deal with diversions, emergency landings and passenger help.The ministry can also be coordinating with the Ministry of Exterior Affairs to handle any pressing necessities involving Indian carriers or nationals overseas.Passengers have been urged to remain in touch with their airways for updates and ensure flight standing earlier than heading to the airport because the state of affairs within the Center East stays unstable.
 said that more than 410 flights operated by domestic carriers were cancelled on Saturday and around 4.){kind=link}