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Flights from Europe to India have faced disruptions due to rising tensions in West Asia. Air India is keeping a close watch on the situation. On Wednesday, Lufthansa cancelled flights from Hyderabad and Mumbai to Frankfurt, following cancellations from Frankfurt to these Indian cities the previous day. "Passengers have been rerouted or accommodated," stated Jeffrey James, Head of Lufthansa Group Communications - Asia Pacific.
Lufthansa operates approximately 65 weekly flights between Europe and India. Meanwhile, Air India and Vistara have already ceased using Iranian airspace. An Air India official mentioned that they evaluate all flights daily for potential security risks, making adjustments as needed to avoid risky areas with minimal impact on operations.
Airline Route Adjustments
Air India has suspended its Tel Aviv flights indefinitely. The airline serves 44 international destinations, including several European cities. Vistara offers direct services to Paris, Frankfurt, and London. Some European airlines have altered their routes when flying to India. For instance, LOT Polish Airlines' flight from Warsaw to Delhi avoided Iranian airspace on Wednesday.
The flight had previously flown through Iranian airspace on September 30, according to Flightradar24 data. Jeffrey James of Lufthansa Group confirmed that their flights will continue avoiding Israeli airspace until at least October 31.
Regional Tensions and Airline Responses
The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have prompted India to urge all parties involved to exercise restraint. The country emphasised that the conflict should not expand into a broader regional issue.
In response to these tensions, some European carriers have adjusted their flight paths when travelling to India. This includes avoiding certain airspaces deemed risky due to the current geopolitical climate.
Air India's proactive approach involves assessing potential threats across its entire route network daily. This ensures passenger safety while maintaining operational efficiency by making necessary route adjustments.
The situation remains fluid as airlines continue monitoring developments closely. They aim to ensure passenger safety while minimising disruptions in their international operations.
