On January 26, speaking at a media briefing, Joint Secretary Asangba Chuba Ao said that Indian airlines, which operated between 300 and 350 daily flights to West Asia, are currently operating only 80 to 90 flights per day. The sharp fall reflects the damage rendered by airspace restrictions, security risks and operational uncertainties posed by the conflict escalation.

The unrest first began after the war broke out on February 28, when US and Israeli military action against Iran led to instability in the area. As a result, the airspace of several nations has been shut down or restricted, leading airlines to cancel routes, reroute flights, or reduce frequency.

West Asia continues to be a significant air traffic corridor for India, both in terms of passenger occupancy and labour and economic connectivity. A large number of Indian expatriates live and work in Gulf countries. Hence, it is one of the busiest international travel sectors for Indian carriers. Travellers and airlines are both paying the price due to the cut in flights and resulting delays and cancellations.

According to industry analysts, continued disruption could cause losses to Indian airlines as fuel costs have also gone up owing to the oil-market volatility linked to the war. The operations of airline companies are further being pressurised by the extended length of flight routes, higher fuel consumption, and scheduling uncertainty. The government and aviation authorities are both keeping tabs on the situation.

Meanwhile, the airlines are operating as per changing security assessments and international advisories. As long as tensions in the region persist, there is no indication that this situation will return to normal anytime soon. The decline in aviation highlights how conflicts can disrupt connectivity globally, as we have seen in the recent aviation slowdown. Not just the aviation industry, but we also see similar impacts on the economy and millions traveling across the world who depend on air services.