. NEW DELHI: Indian airlines have cancelled over 10,000 flights to West Asia since the start of the US-Iran war on Feb 28. Aviation ministry joint secretary Asangba Chuba Ao said Tuesday Indian airlines on an average had 300-350 daily flights to West Asia, a number that is now down to 80-90. Apart from monetary losses caused by this decline, airlines now have to take much longer routes to and from the west at a time when aviation turbine fuel prices (ATF) prices have increased globally.Chuba Ao said: “The aviation ministry is actively working with all stakeholders… exploring all means of who we can support the industry, especially airlines and to bring down the cost which eventually will be passed on to consumers. All measures are being explored to ensure that the sector remains buoyant.”The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had recently granted a temporary relaxation in flight duty time limitations (FDTL) for pilots operating long-haul flights to and from the west, allowing fatigued pilots to fly for longer than before due to the longer routes flights have to take now. The relaxation is valid till April 30. “It will be revisited. We still have some time. It is an evolving situation and taking into consideration what happens in coming days, this dispensation will be relooked at. If required, we will take the necessary call at that point of time,’ he said.Meanwhile, after IndiGo, Air India has also hiked fuel surcharge due to aviation turbine fuel (ATF) base prices more than doubling for international flights and increasing by 25% for domestic ones. From Wednesday morning, Air India domestic fuel surcharge will be revised from a flat Rs 399 to between Rs 299 and 899 depending on distance.The old fuel surcharge of Rs 399 for SAARC flights will increase to $24. Surcharge for other international flights has been revised to be between $50 (for West Asia flights) and $280 (for North America and Australia flights).End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosManipur Erupts Again: Curfew, Internet Shutdown As Violence Returns Over Killing Of Two ChildrenTejas Back In Air After Setbacks, But Reliability And Delays Raise Fresh Questions’Target Of Akhand Bharat’: Pakistan Senator Sounds Alarm Over Growing India-UAE Ties’At The Behest Of Mamata’: BJP MP Nishikant Dubey’s Shocking Claim On Pakistan’s Kolkata ThreatIndia Seeks US Waiver On Chabahar Amid Conflict; Iran Envoy Hints At Key Port Revival After WarBJP Calls Kharge’s ‘Snake’ Remark Dangerous, Alleges Communal ProvocationAssam Passport Row Turns Personal: Himanta Sarma Takes ‘Peda’ Jibe At Pawan Khera, Congress Responds’Pakistan Will Be Divided Into…’: Rajnath Singh’s Strong Response To Khawaja Asif’s Kolkata ThreatAhead Of Vikram Misri’s US Visit, Sergio Gor’s High Level Meetings Set Stage For Key Strategic TalksAfter US Rescue Ops Inside Iran, Question Emerges, Could India Have Attempted Such Mission In 2019?123Photostories5 fun and unusual vacation ideas for the summer holidays in IndiaStep inside Kapil Dev’s Delhi residence that defines understated luxurySimple remedies to attract wealth based on your numberHappy birthday Jackie Chan: ‘Drunken Master’, ‘Police Story’ to ‘Rush Hour’ – The legend’s greatest hitsHeartbroken? 7 inspiring quotes on why this isn’t the end of your storyBrad Pitt, Tom Cruise and more: Hollywood stars who adore Bollywood actors, trends and movies4 non-negotiable rules for a healthy relationshipTamil Nadu’s Buckingham Canal gets Rs 45 crore makeover: Walkways, cycling tracks, Miyawaki forests planned7 career mistakes that stop smart people from growing, and how to fix them6 Japanese ideas that quietly help calm an overthinking mind123Hot PicksLuka Doncic InjuryUpdated IPL Points TableOil PriceSilver Rate TodayLPG NewsPublic holidays April 2026Bank Holidays AprilTop TrendingRory McilroyBlake LivelyKerala pollsWest Bengal assembly electionEA FC 26 Team of the SeasonKerala ElectionStrait of HormuzIPL Points TableSchool Holidays in AprilKarnataka 2nd PUC Exam Result Date
NEW DELHI: Indian airlines have cancelled over 10,000 flights to West Asia since the start of the US-Iran war on Feb 28. Aviation ministry joint secretary Asangba Chuba Ao said Tuesday Indian airlines on an average had 300-350 daily flights to West Asia, a number that is now down to 80-90. Apart from monetary losses caused by this decline, airlines now have to take much longer routes to and from the west at a time when aviation turbine fuel prices (ATF) prices have increased globally.Chuba Ao said: “The aviation ministry is actively working with all stakeholders… exploring all means of who we can support the industry, especially airlines and to bring down the cost which eventually will be passed on to consumers. All measures are being explored to ensure that the sector remains buoyant.”The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had recently granted a temporary relaxation in flight duty time limitations (FDTL) for pilots operating long-haul flights to and from the west, allowing fatigued pilots to fly for longer than before due to the longer routes flights have to take now. The relaxation is valid till April 30. “It will be revisited. We still have some time. It is an evolving situation and taking into consideration what happens in coming days, this dispensation will be relooked at. If required, we will take the necessary call at that point of time,’ he said.Meanwhile, after IndiGo, Air India has also hiked fuel surcharge due to aviation turbine fuel (ATF) base prices more than doubling for international flights and increasing by 25% for domestic ones. From Wednesday morning, Air India domestic fuel surcharge will be revised from a flat Rs 399 to between Rs 299 and 899 depending on distance.The old fuel surcharge of Rs 399 for SAARC flights will increase to $24. Surcharge for other international flights has been revised to be between $50 (for West Asia flights) and $280 (for North America and Australia flights).
