SpiceJet has announced four special flights from the United Arab Emirates on March 3 to bring back Indian nationals stranded after the sudden closure of airspace. The airline will operate services from Fujairah to Delhi, Mumbai, and Kochi, including two flights to Mumbai, aiming to ensure passengers return as quickly as possible.
Resuming Scheduled Flights
From March 4, SpiceJet plans to resume its regular flights between Fujairah and Delhi and between Fujairah and Mumbai. The move is intended to gradually restore normal connectivity between the UAE and India. The airline is also considering additional special flights, depending on passenger demand and regulatory approvals, to help more stranded travelers.
Widespread Disruptions Affect Indian Carriers
The special flights come amid ongoing operational disruptions for Indian airlines caused by airspace closures in parts of the Middle East, following the escalation of the Israel-Iran conflict. On Monday alone, Indian carriers cancelled 357 international flights, marking the third consecutive day of major disruptions. Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai saw cancellations affecting both arrivals and departures.
Since February 28, a total of 1,117 international flights have been cancelled due to the conflict. IndiGo cancelled over 163 flights on Monday, Air India and Air India Express cancelled more than 110 services combined, SpiceJet cancelled at least 20 flights, and Akasa Air suspended eight flights.
Passenger Relief Measures
The civil aviation ministry is closely monitoring the situation and facilitating relief for passengers. So far, 559 grievances have been addressed through AirSewa, social media platforms, and helpline calls, in coordination with airlines and other stakeholders.
Ongoing Flight Suspensions
Flight disruptions are continuing on Tuesday. Akasa Air has suspended services to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Riyadh, while IndiGo has extended temporary suspensions for select international flights passing through parts of Middle Eastern airspace.
This step by SpiceJet reflects efforts to quickly restore connectivity and support stranded Indian nationals amid the regional crisis.
