Parliament Question: Disruption of Flights due to Conflict in West Asia

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6257 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2nd April 2026 ) DISRUPTION OF FLIGHTS DUE TO CONFLICT IN WEST ASIA 6257. SHRI EATALA RAJENDER Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) the details of disruptions of airlines to and from the UAE, Dubai and other West Asian countries in view of ongoing conflict therein; (b) the estimated losses incurred due to such disruptions; (c) the number of flights cancelled as a result thereof; (d) the loss in terms of exports through airlines; (e) the details of the airlines which have brought back passengers from these West Asian countries, country-wise including the students who have been stranded there and evacuated for their safety; and (f) the details of the funds sanctioned and spent for the said purpose along with the steps taken to run more flights to evacuate more passengers/students from the said region? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) to (f): Till 29th March 2026, Indian operators had to cancel 8,359 flights due to airspace restrictions, operational constraints, and reduced demand on account of the ongoing crisis in West Asia. As informed by Indian carriers, they are incurring significant revenue losses due to the ongoing crisis, which has adversely impacted their operations and network planning. From the start of the ongoing crisis, till 29th March 2026, Indian as well as foreign scheduled carriers have brought back 5,59,952 stranded Indian passengers from West Asian countries. ******