Amid rising tensions in West Asia, Air India announced on Tuesday that it will progressively resume flight operations to the region, following the gradual reopening of airspaces in parts of the Middle East. The airline also confirmed that flights to and from Europe will restart immediately, with most Middle East services expected to be operational by June 25.
In an official statement, an Air India spokesperson said, “As airspaces gradually reopen in certain parts of the Middle East, Air India will progressively resume flights to the region starting today. Most operations to and from the Middle East will resume from June 25. Flights to and from Europe are also being reinstated from today, while services to the East Coast of the US and Canada will resume at the earliest opportunity.”
However, the airline cautioned that some flights might face delays or cancellations due to extended rerouting and longer flight times. “We are committed to minimising disruptions and restoring our schedule integrity. Air India will continue to avoid airspaces assessed as unsafe at any given time,” the spokesperson added.
The announcement comes in the wake of a major escalation in regional hostilities. On Monday, Iran reportedly launched missiles targeting US military bases in Qatar and Iraq, including Al Udeid Air Base, the largest American installation in the region, CNN reported.
The strikes are said to be Iran’s retaliation for US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities Natanz, Isfahan and Fordow, conducted early Sunday morning (IST).
Qatar’s foreign ministry confirmed a temporary closure of its airspace, reflecting the region-wide concerns about safety and security. As tensions simmer, airlines and governments continue to adapt to a rapidly evolving situation across the Gulf.