West Asia Crisis: 90,000 Passengers Travelled Safely Last Week, Says Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu
New Delhi, March 9, 2026 — Amid the rapidly escalating military conflict across West Asia, India’s Union Minister of Civil Aviation, Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu, has reassured the public that international flight operations are being continuously monitored and managed to ensure passenger safety and connectivity.
Addressing the media on Monday, the Aviation Minister announced that despite severe airspace restrictions and heightened regional tensions, Indian and international carriers successfully facilitated the travel of approximately 90,000 people to and from the Gulf region over the past week.
Navigating Airspace Challenges
The ongoing geopolitical crisis, marked by missile exchanges and military posturing between Israel, Iran, and the United States, has forced multiple countries to periodically close their airspace. This has led to massive rerouting efforts for commercial airlines worldwide.
Despite these logistical hurdles, Minister Naidu emphasized that the Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is working in close coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and airline operators to minimize disruptions.
“The safety of our citizens is the utmost priority. By actively rerouting flights to avoid conflict zones, we have ensured that vital air links remain open. In the last week alone, around 90,000 people were able to travel safely,” the Minister stated.
A Lifeline for the Diaspora
Maintaining stable flight operations is critical for India, given the massive diaspora of millions of Indian nationals working and residing across the Middle East.
The successful transport of 90,000 passengers comes as a significant relief to families back home who have been anxious about the safety of their relatives abroad. The government has directed all airlines to strictly adhere to dynamically updated risk assessments and to avoid flying over active conflict zones, even if it results in longer flight times and increased fuel costs.
The Aviation Ministry’s efforts run parallel to the MEA’s diplomatic outreach, with Indian embassies across the Gulf—including in Saudi Arabia and the UAE—activating 24/7 control rooms to assist stranded nationals.
Officials confirmed that contingency plans remain on standby should the security situation deteriorate further, requiring immediate evacuation protocols.
