In a strategic response to skyrocketing demand triggered by Middle East unrest, Air India is launching 36 extra flights this week to vital hubs in Europe and North America. Scheduled from March 19 to 28, these flights originate from Delhi and Mumbai, targeting London Heathrow, Toronto, Frankfurt, and Zurich.
This expansion will inject more than 10,000 additional seats into the network, significantly enhancing capacity at a time when global connectivity faces major hurdles. Passengers can now access more reliable travel options amid widespread disruptions.
Building on last week’s addition of 78 flights from March 10 to 18, Air India continues to prioritize high-traffic corridors like Delhi to London Heathrow, Mumbai to London Heathrow, Delhi-Frankfurt, Delhi-Zurich, and Delhi-Toronto. Tickets are becoming available progressively through official channels including the website, app, and travel partners.
The carrier emphasized that this surge in capacity is designed to support travelers navigating complex geopolitical changes affecting route availability and demand patterns.
Regulatory support has played a key role, with DGCA offering temporary exemptions on flight fees for long-distance routes to Europe, America, and Canada. These measures address the extra distances airlines must fly to avoid restricted Iranian airspace, which has hiked fuel costs and operational challenges.
Competitor IndiGo is matching the pace, rolling out 252 weekly services to West Asian destinations from March 16 to 28. The lineup features substantial frequencies to Saudi Arabia (126 flights), UAE (98), and Oman (28). Operations to several spots like Doha, Kuwait, and Sharjah are paused until month’s end for network realignments.
This dual airline effort underscores India’s aviation sector’s resilience, ensuring seamless global links despite regional volatility.