Air India Adds Extra International Flights Amid West Asia Travel Disruptions

New Delhi, March 2026 : Air India on Tuesday announced a significant increase in its international flight operations, introducing additional services to Europe and North America to meet rising travel demand triggered by the evolving situation in West Asia.

The airline will operate 36 extra flights between March 19 and March 28, connecting Delhi and Mumbai with key global destinations, including London (Heathrow), Toronto, Frankfurt, and Zurich.

This move is expected to add more than 10,000 seats across these routes, offering greater flexibility and options for passengers at a time when international connectivity remains affected by geopolitical tensions. The additional services will operate on routes such as Delhi–London (Heathrow), Mumbai–London (Heathrow), Delhi–Frankfurt, Delhi–Zurich, and Delhi–Toronto.

The latest expansion follows an earlier announcement by Air India to operate 78 additional flights across nine routes between March 10 and March 18, highlighting the airline’s continued efforts to accommodate surging passenger demand.

Bookings for the newly announced flights are being opened in phases through multiple channels, including the airline’s official website, mobile app, and authorised travel agents.

Air India stated that the increase in capacity is aimed at supporting passengers amid ongoing disruptions caused by geopolitical developments, particularly airspace restrictions linked to tensions involving Iran. These restrictions have forced airlines to take longer routes, impacting schedules and overall operations.

Earlier, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) granted temporary relaxations in flight duty norms for Air India’s long-haul services to Europe, the United States, and Canada. The relaxation is intended to help the airline manage extended flight durations and maintain operational efficiency.

Meanwhile, IndiGo has also adjusted its international network in response to the situation. The airline announced it will operate 252 weekly flights to and from West Asia between March 16 and March 28, including services to Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Oman.

However, IndiGo has temporarily suspended flights to several destinations, including Doha, Kuwait City, Manama, Dammam, Fujairah, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah until March 28.

The developments reflect how global airlines are rapidly adapting to changing geopolitical conditions while striving to maintain connectivity and minimise disruptions for travellers.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)