SpiceJet, IndiGo to operate relief flights; many Indians stranded in UAE| India News

The Odisha government has formed a dedicated working group to monitor the safety of people from the state who are stranded in the conflict-ridden Middle East, officials said on Tuesday.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anu Garg on Monday, they added.

“In this context, the Odisha government has constituted a working group in coordination with the Directorate of Odisha Parivar, the Home Department, the State Labour Directorate, and the Office of the Protector of Emigrants under the Ministry of External Affairs,” a statement said, adding that developments are being closely monitored.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the King of Jordan, His Majesty King Abdullah II, on Monday night and conveyed India’s support to the people of the nation.

He also thanked the King for taking care of the Indian community in Jordan.

“Spoke with His Majesty King Abdullah II, the King of Jordan. Conveyed our deep concern at the evolving situation in the region. We reaffirm our support for peace, security and the well-being of the people of Jordan. I thanked him for taking care of the Indian community in Jordan in this difficult hour,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

Several international flights from Delhi’s IGI airport have been delayed amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East and the resultant airspace curbs.

The Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) issued a passenger advisory and said, “Due to the ongoing political situation in the Middle East, several westbound international flights are causing delays or schedule adjustments. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight updates with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport. If required, please consider alternate routes or connections as suggested by your airline.”

“We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. All other flight operations are currently operating as per schedule,” it added.

Jharkhand chief minister Hemant Soren has urged PM Modi to take urgent steps to ensure the safe return of Indians stranded in the Gulf region, calling the evolving situation a matter of “extreme concern”.

In a post on X, he appealed to PM Modi and external affairs minister S Jaishankar to “kindly take necessary steps to safely bring back to the homeland all Indians who feel unsafe or stranded in this grave situation.”

He also urged residents of Jharkhand and other Indians in Gulf countries to remain vigilant. He also shared helpline numbers for Jharkhand residents in the Gulf.

As one of the first relief flights from conflict-hit Abu Dhabi landed in Delhi on Monday, bringing home more than 300 Indians, families and friends felt joy and an abundance of emotions.

55-year-old Vinod Sharma said his son had been stuck in Abu Dhabi since Saturday when he stopped there during a layover from Manchester, UK. “We were extremely scared as he had told us that he could hear and see missiles being intercepted above his hotel. We were tracking his flight the entire time and could only be relieved when it entered Indian airspace,” he said.

As she hugged her daughter, Danishta Perween (50) said the 26-year-old is an Etihaad Crew member, but was still unable to return. “She was scheduled to come on 28 February but could not. She said she could see the airport walls shake due to the missiles. It is also her birthday tomorrow so I am happy she has returned can celebrate it with us.”

As airspace restrictions continue amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, 21 arrivals and 21 departures were cancelled at Bengaluru airport on Tuesday until 3 pm. These flights were to and from key sectors, including Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai and Doha.

SpiceJet has announced that it will operate four special flights to bring stranded Indians home from the United Arab Emirates on March 3.

The airline will restore scheduled flights between Fujairah and Delhi and Fujairah and Mumbai from March 4.

It said, “Special services to connect Fujairah with Delhi, Mumbai (two flights) and Kochi on March 3 and for the next few days.”

“At a time like this, our priority is to support Indian citizens who are facing uncertainty and want to return home,” said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet.

“We are grateful to the authorities for their coordination, which has made these special flights possible. SpiceJet stands ready to operate more such services, wherever required, to assist our people,” he added.

The civil aviation ministry is closely monitoring the evolving airspace situation in parts of the Middle East and its impact on international flight operations amid the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

“Indian carriers have undertaken calibrated adjustments to their schedules, with long-haul and ultra long-haul operations being progressively resumed through alternative routings that avoid restricted airspace. Aircraft and crew repositioning measures are underway to restore operational stability at the earliest,” an official press release said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman, and condemned the recent attacks on the Gulf country in violation of its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“We agreed that earliest restoration of regional peace and stability is of utmost importance. I thanked him for looking after the well-being of the Indian community in these difficult times,” PM Modi said in a post on X.

Flight cancellations amid airspace closures and NOTAMs continued on Tuesday morning, with 36 departures and 44 arrivals being called at the Delhi airport so far.

Andhra Pradesh chief minister Chandrababu Naidu on Monday directed officials to ensure the safe return of Telugu people stranded in countries in the Middle East amid the ongoing conflict in the region.

Naidu asked officials to ensure the safe return of people stranded in the conflict-hit countries. He also reviewed the situation at his camp office with Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society (APNRTS) and Real-Time Governance System (RTGS) officials.

Several hundred persons from Maharashtra are stranded in the Middle East region due to airspace closure amid the US-Israel-Iran conflict.

Among those stranded in Dubai is Congress Lok Sabha MP from Jalna, Kalyan Kale, who had gone there on Friday, just a day before the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran, his brother was cited as saying by news agency PTI.

Kale was supposed to return home via Abu Dhabi on March 3 but is now stuck in Dubai due to flight cancellations. However, his brother asserted that the MP is safe.

Punjab singer-actor Ammy Virk’s wife and six-year-old daughter are stranded in the United Arab Emirates as tensions continue to escalate in the Middle East region following the joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran.

In an Instagram post, Virk said, “The situation in the UAE has been weighing heavily on my heart. My wife and my six-year-old daughter are there, and as a husband and father, it’s impossible not to feel emotional and tense during times like this.”

He said that his daughter asks him not to worry, telling him that she hides under her bed if something happens and that she is a strong person. Virk said these are remarks that a father does not want to hear. “Every news update feels personal. No matter how strong we try to be in public life, at the end of the day, we are family people,” the Punjabi actor, who has also worked in Bollywood films, wrote.

“I know there are so many other families going through the same fear and anxiety. My prayers are not just for my loved ones, but for every single person affected,” he wrote.

He also acknowledged and appreciated the efforts of the UAE government.

Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah on Monday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to take swift action to safeguard Kannadigas and other Indian nationals in the Middle East region.

“I have written to the Prime Minister seeking urgent action to safeguard Kannadigas and other Indians affected by the escalating Middle East tensions. I have urged strengthened diplomatic outreach, preparedness for special repatriation flights if required, and coordinated support through embassies and airlines. Karnataka stands ready to fully cooperate to ensure the safety and safe return of our people,” he wrote in a post on X.

In his letter to the PM, he also expressed concern over the impact of the recent airspace restrictions, which have disrupted international flight operations.

Several Indians remained stranded in Middle Eastern countries as conflict between the US and Iran continued to escalate. Residents of Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Himachal Pradesh were stranded in Iran, UAE, and other conflict-hit countries.

The first Indian casualty was reported in the ongoing US-Iran conflict, as Oman said that a Marshall Islands-flagged oil tanker was struck by a bomb-carrying drone boat on Monday.

The attack took place in the Gulf of Oman off the coast of Muscat on a vessel identified as the MKD VYOM, state-run Oman news agency reported. It added that the dead crew member was from India.

At least 14 people, including six security personnel, were injured on the second day of protests in Jammu and Kashmir as people took to the streets to condemn and mourn the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Strict restrictions have been imposed on people’s movement in the Union Territory, with authorities limiting mobile internet speeds as a precautionary measure.

Officials said that 75 rallies were held across the Kashmir Valley, while only a few demonstrations were held in Jammu.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Mondai night spoke with the King of Bahrain over a phone call and expressed India’s solidarity with the country. He also thanked the King for supporting the Indian community there.

“Had a productive telephone conversation with the King of Bahrain, His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa. India condemns the attacks on Bahrain and stands in solidarity with its people in this difficult hour. I thank him for the steadfast support extended to the Indian community in Bahrain,” PM Modi wrote in a post on X.

As four relief flights of Etihad Airways landed in four Indian cities from Abu Dhabi on Monday night, Emirates will also be operating services between Dubai and five cities, including Delhi, Chennai, Bengaluru, Mumbai and Hyderabad, on Tuesday.

Four Etihad flights took from Abu Dhabi’s busy Zayed International Airport on Monday and landed in Indian cities – Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru and Kochi – bringing much-needed relief to families awaiting the return of their loved ones from the conflict-hit region.