Iran-Israel ceasefire: IndiGo resumes Middle East flights as Air India, other Indian airlines assess situation
(File) An Airbus A320neo aircraft operated by Indigo Airlines waiting for take-off at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru | Nitin SJ Asariparambil
IndiGo airlines resumed flights to the Middle East on Tuesday, following the brief cancellation of services on the intervening night of June 23 and June 24 owing to heightened tensions in the region. Indian airlines suspended services to the Middle East on Monday night after Iran launched air strikes targeting US military bases in the region.
In a statement published on social media platform X on Tuesday, IndiGo said, "As airports across the Middle East gradually reopen, we are prudently and progressively resuming operations on these routes. We continue to monitor the situation closely and are fully considering the safest available flight paths to ensure secure and seamless travel." The airline advised passengers to check their website and mobile app for updates.
IndiGo's services to and from Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Dammam, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Ras AI-Khaimah and Tbilisi were impacted following Iran's strikes targeting the US's Al Udeid military base in Qatar.
Air India, which has already cut down its services in international routes by 15 per cent, temporarily stopped services to the Middle East, Europe as well as to five destinations in the US and Canada following Monday's events.
In a post on X on Monday night, Air India said, "In view of the evolving situation and the closure of certain airspaces in the Middle East, Air India Express has temporarily suspended flights to the region. Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins and others are being diverted back to India or re-routed away from the closed airspaces."
The airports in Dubai and Doha are busy international hubs, connecting travellers from India flying to destinations in Europe and the US.
The operations of many global carriers were also impacted due to the airspace curbs in the region. Major global carrier Emirates said "a number of Emirates flights were rerouted en route to Dubai" on June 23" considering the escalating military tensions in the region.
US President Donald Trump said both Israel and Iran have agreed to ceasefire and the "12-day war will end in 24 hours." Trump said attacks targeting its military base in Qatar were successfully thwarted and no casualties were reported.
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