NEW DELHI — In a major effort to evacuate Indian nationals caught in the escalating Middle East crisis, the Ministry of Civil Aviation on Monday, March 2, 2026, announced that IndiGo will operate 10 special relief flights from Jeddah to India on Tuesday, March 3. The mission, aimed at assisting thousands of passengers stranded due to extensive airspace closures, remains subject to necessary regulatory approvals and the highly volatile security conditions currently affecting the region.
The Ministry confirmed that IndiGo is working in close coordination with the Consulate General of India in Jeddah to prioritize and facilitate the return of those most affected by the ongoing hostilities. This follows a period of massive disruption where hundreds of international flights were cancelled over the weekend. While Indian domestic carriers are leading the relief effort, the Ministry also noted that foreign airlines operating between India and the Gulf are maintaining limited schedules, though these continue to be hampered by operational constraints and the “Ghost Skies” phenomenon.
As West Asia remains a high-risk zone, the Indian government is reportedly monitoring safe flight corridors to ensure these special operations can proceed without incident. Passengers are advised to stay in constant contact with the Consulate and monitor official airline channels for real-time updates on gate assignments and departure timings. These 10 flights represent a critical first step in what officials suggest could be a larger, multi-phased evacuation plan as the regional conflict persists.
