New Delhi, March 31: The government has reported that approximately 572,000 travelers have returned to India from the West Asia region. With Qatar’s airspace partially reopening, around 8 to 10 unscheduled commercial flights are expected to operate to the country on Tuesday.
In the UAE, about 85 flights are anticipated to operate in a single day. Due to operational and safety considerations, a limited number of unscheduled flights are currently being conducted. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), flights from Oman and Saudi Arabia to India are ongoing.
However, the airspace in Kuwait and Bahrain remains closed. Special unscheduled commercial flights are operating from Dammam Airport in Saudi Arabia to various destinations in India.
The ministry stated, “Due to the closure of airspace in Iran, Indian citizens are being facilitated to travel via Armenia and Azerbaijan. Given the restrictions on airspace in Israel, Indian nationals are returning home through Egypt and Jordan.”
Additionally, due to the closure of airspace in Iraq, Indian citizens are being assisted to travel through Jordan and Saudi Arabia.
Regular contact is being maintained with the Indian community in the region; they are being provided essential assistance, and consultations are ongoing for their safety and welfare.
According to the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways, all Indian sailors in the region are safe, and no unpleasant incidents related to Indian-flagged vessels have been reported in the last 24 hours.
The government noted that there are 18 Indian-flagged ships in the western Persian Gulf region, carrying 485 Indian sailors. The Directorate General of Shipping is actively monitoring the situation in coordination with ship owners, RPSL agencies, and Indian missions.
So far, the Directorate General of Shipping has assisted in the safe return of over 959 Indian sailors, including 9 who returned in the last 24 hours. Port operations across India are continuing normally; state maritime boards in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and Puducherry have confirmed the smooth functioning of ports.
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