India resumes flights to Riyadh as Civil Aviation Ministry monitors West Asia air travel
The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Thursday said it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in West Asia and its impact on air travel between India and countries in the region, as Indian airlines gradually resume services affected by the regional developments.
The ministry said flight operations by Indian carriers to and from Riyadh in Saudi Arabia resumed on March 12, restoring an important air link between the two countries.
On the first day of resumption, three flights were operated to Mumbai by Air India and IndiGo, while Air India Express operated one flight to Kozhikode (Calicut).
The ministry said airlines are making necessary operational adjustments in view of prevailing conditions in the region to ensure passenger safety and smooth flight operations.
According to official data, between February 28 and March 11, a total of 1,50,457 passengers travelled from Gulf countries to India.
Indian carriers have also scheduled 57 inbound flights on March 12 from various cities in the region, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Jeddah, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Sharjah, subject to operational feasibility and prevailing conditions.
The ministry said it is maintaining close coordination with airlines and other stakeholders to ensure smooth passenger movement during this period. Authorities are also monitoring airfares to prevent any unreasonable surge in ticket prices.
Passengers have been advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding flight schedules and travel arrangements.
The ministry said it will continue to review the situation and issue further updates as necessary.
