Despite escalating tensions in the Middle East and widespread airspace restrictions, Air India and its low-cost subsidiary Air India Express are set to operate 48 scheduled and non-scheduled flights to and from the region on Monday.

The expanded flight schedule comes at a time when aviation operations across the region are facing significant disruptions due to the ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States.

Airlines worldwide have been adjusting routes and schedules as several airspaces remain restricted amid heightened geopolitical tensions.

Flights to Jeddah and Muscat Continue

According to airline officials, Air India will continue operating regular services to key Middle Eastern destinations, including Jeddah in Saudi Arabia and Muscat in Oman.

The airlines will operate ten direct flights between Indian cities and Jeddah, which remain crucial routes for travellers and pilgrims.

Planned services include:

• One return flight each from Delhi and Mumbai operated by Air India

• Flights from Bengaluru, Kozhikode, and Mangalore operated by Air India Express

These operations are continuing even as several international carriers reduce or suspend services due to safety concerns and restricted airspace.

Expanded Muscat Services

The low-cost carrier Air India Express will also run 12 scheduled services to and from Muscat on Monday.

The flights will operate from multiple Indian cities including:

• Delhi

• Kannur

• Mumbai

• Thiruvananthapuram

• Kochi

Two flights will specifically operate from Kochi to Muscat as part of the expanded schedule.

This increase in flights comes at a time when airlines across the world are adjusting routes due to ongoing instability in the Middle East.

Airspace Restrictions Affect Aviation

The ongoing conflict has led to partial closures of airspace over Iran and Iraq, forcing airlines to take longer routes to reach destinations in Europe and North America.

To avoid restricted areas, Air India has been diverting several long-haul flights through Egypt.

These diversions significantly increase flight durations and create operational challenges for airlines and flight crews.

DGCA Relaxes Pilot Duty Rules

In response to longer flight routes, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has temporarily relaxed Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) for Air India’s long-haul flights.

The temporary relaxation will remain in effect until April 30.

Under the revised rules:

• Maximum flight time has been increased by 1 hour 30 minutes, taking it to 11 hours 30 minutes

• Maximum Flight Duty Period (FDP) has been extended by 1 hour 45 minutes, reaching 11 hours 45 minutes

• The 30-minute roster planning buffer has been temporarily waived

Officials said the move was necessary to help airlines manage longer routes and operational challenges caused by airspace restrictions.

Allegations of Duty-Time Violations

However, some aviation sources have raised concerns that Air India may be exceeding even the relaxed duty-time limits on certain routes.

According to these sources, the airline has allegedly scheduled pilots for its Jeddah service with a flight duty period of 11 hours and 55 minutes, which is about 10 minutes beyond the allowed relaxation.

They claim that such scheduling could push pilots beyond the permitted operational limits.

The airline has not officially responded to these allegations so far.

Wider Impact of Middle East Conflict

The ongoing conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the United States has already begun affecting global aviation.

Airlines across the world are facing:

• Airspace closures

• Flight diversions

• Increased fuel consumption

• Longer travel durations

These disruptions are particularly significant for airlines operating routes between Asia, Europe, and North America, many of which pass through the Middle East.

Aviation Industry Monitoring Situation

Despite the challenges, Air India and Air India Express continue to monitor the evolving situation closely.

Aviation authorities and airlines are coordinating to ensure that flight operations remain safe while maintaining connectivity between India and key destinations in the Middle East.

Experts say that if regional tensions continue to escalate, aviation disruptions could intensify further in the coming weeks.

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