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India Scales Up Gulf Repatriation Flights After 279 Cancellations, With 50 Planned Today

Authorities coordinate carriers to keep fares in check during a controlled restart on Saudi and Oman routes.

Overview

  • The Civil Aviation Ministry said Indian airlines canceled 279 international services on March 8 as Gulf airspace restrictions continued to disrupt schedules.
  • About 50 flights are planned for March 9, including 24 scheduled services to Jeddah and Muscat plus 32 ad‑hoc departures from UAE airports subject to slots and approvals.
  • Air India and Air India Express continue scheduled operations on assessed safe corridors to Jeddah and Muscat while most other Gulf routes remain suspended for now.
  • Air India will add 78 flights on nine international routes from March 10–18, offering 17,660 extra seats to destinations including New York, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, Colombo and Malé.
  • Carriers have rolled out flexible rebooking and refunds, the government is monitoring ticket prices, and official data show more than 52,000 Indians returned between March 1 and 7.