Travel
Iran–Israel War Disrupts Airspace; Air India Launches 78 Additional Flights
Amid air travel disruptions caused by the Iran–Israel conflict, Air India is launching 78 additional flights to major destinations in Europe and the United States to ensure passengers have reliable travel options.
The ongoing conflict in West Asia has begun to disrupt global air travel. As tensions linked to the Iran–Israel war continue to affect key air corridors, several airlines have been forced to reroute flights or cancel services altogether.
These disruptions have made international travel more complicated for passengers, particularly on routes connecting Asia with Europe and North America.
Amid this challenging situation, Air India, now owned by the Tata Group, has stepped in to stabilize connectivity. The airline has announced a major expansion of its international operations by adding dozens of additional flights to key destinations in Europe and the United States.
78 Additional Flights to Support Global Connectivity
Air India revealed that it will operate 78 additional international flights between March 10 and March 18, 2026, adding nearly 17,660 extra seats across both directions. The move aims to ensure passengers continue to have reliable travel options while global aviation networks face disruptions due to the conflict in West Asia.
The majority of these extra services will connect Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi with major international hubs, including John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York City. Several additional flights will also depart from Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
Key International Destinations
The extra services will link India with several important European and international gateways, including:
- London Heathrow Airport in London
- Frankfurt Airport in Frankfurt
- Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris
- Amsterdam Airport Schiphol in Amsterdam
- Zurich Airport in Zurich
- Velana International Airport in Malé
- Bandaranaike International Airport in Colombo
These routes are expected to help passengers affected by reduced airline capacity and longer flight paths caused by airspace restrictions in the region.
Aircraft Deployment
To operate these services, Air India will deploy a combination of wide-body and narrow-body aircraft. Many of the European routes will be served by the Boeing 787‑8 Dreamliner, a long-haul aircraft known for its fuel efficiency and passenger comfort.
According to Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer at Air India, the airline continues to maintain international operations despite the difficult circumstances.
He emphasized that Air India is sustaining connectivity to Europe and North America by using alternative flight routes that have been carefully assessed as safe for operations.
Helping Passengers During Disruptions
The additional flights are designed to provide travelers with greater flexibility and more reliable schedules during a period when many airlines are adjusting routes due to security concerns and airspace limitations.
Passengers can already begin booking seats on these additional flights through Air India’s official website, mobile app, and authorized travel agents, with reservations gradually opening as the services are confirmed.
Maintaining Stability in Global Travel
As the conflict in West Asia continues to influence international aviation routes, Air India’s decision to increase capacity highlights its effort to keep India connected with key global destinations.
By adding extra flights to Europe and the United States, the airline is helping reduce travel disruptions and ensuring passengers still have dependable options to reach major cities across the world.
