Over 5,500 flights cancelled amid Middle East turmoil
image for illustrative purpose
New Delhi: Civil Aviation Minister K Rammohan Naidu on Monday informed the Rajya Sabha that thousands of flights have been cancelled due to the ongoing West Asia conflict, while passengers affected by mass cancellations by IndiGo last year have received compensation worth over Rs 163 crore.
Replying to supplementary queries during Question Hour, the minister said airspace closures in parts of West Asia amid the escalating conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran have significantly disrupted flight operations.
So far, Indian airlines have cancelled 4,335 flights, while foreign carriers cancelled 1,187 flights, he said, adding that passenger safety remains the government’s top priority.
Naidu said the aviation ministry and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) are in constant communication with regulators in affected countries and flights are being operated whenever safe airspace slots are available.
