In the shadow of escalating West Asia conflicts, India has airlifted 8.43 lakh of its citizens from the Gulf since late February. The MEA’s update on Friday reveals ongoing flights from accessible airspaces, a testament to meticulous planning amid chaos.
From the UAE, where non-scheduled commercial operations are tightly controlled, about 95 flights are slated for Thursday, balancing safety and capacity. Qatar, with partial airspace clearance, sees Qatar Airways operating 8-10 services to Indian destinations.
Saudi Arabia and Oman continue dispatching flights from multiple airports. Bahrain’s open skies allow Gulf Air to schedule limited routes, complemented by special charters from Saudi’s Dammam. Kuwait’s closure has rerouted Jazeera and Kuwait Airways via Dammam, seamlessly ferrying nationals through neighboring airspace.
Iran’s Indian embassy has evacuated 2,180 people—981 students and 657 fishermen among them—to Armenia and Azerbaijan for final legs home. In Israel, limited flights operate from partial airspace, directing evacuees via Jordan and Egypt. Iraq manages constrained returns through Jordan and Saudi pathways.
Behind the scenes, a 24/7 control room liaises with missions abroad, states, and territories. Helplines run nonstop, dishing out real-time advisories on travel, protocols, and consular aid. Ties with diaspora networks, professionals, and firms keep information flowing.
This operation, scaling to hundreds of thousands, showcases India’s crisis response prowess. With regional skies unpredictable, the focus stays on safe returns and preparedness for any escalation.
