IndiGo has said it will operate flights to five destinations in West Asia on Saturday even as tensions continue in the region. The airline issued a travel advisory stating that it will run limited services to help passengers complete their journeys and assist Indian nationals returning home.
Flights planned to key West Asian airports
According to the advisory, IndiGo will operate flights to Dubai Airport, Zayed International Airport in Abu Dhabi, Sharjah Airport, Akrotiri Airport and Fujairah International Airport.
The airline will also operate return flights from these cities to Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, enabling Indian travellers to return to the country.
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IndiGo said the decision was taken while considering prevailing safety conditions and regulatory approvals.
"As the situation continues to be volatile in and around the Middle East, we understand that many customers are still waiting to reach the places and the people that matter most to them. Over the past few days, our flights have helped reunite many with their loved ones. Yet, we know that some journeys are still unfinished," The Hindu Business Line quoted IndiGo as saying.
"To support customers during this time, subject to prevailing safety conditions and applicable regulatory approvals, IndiGo will be operating flights to five destinations in the Middle East on March 7, 2026, as detailed below. Our teams remain by your side, doing everything possible to help you continue your journey, while keeping the safety and well-being of our customers and crew at the heart of every decision we make," the travel advisory read.
Waiver on cancellations and rescheduling
The airline has also introduced a full waiver on cancellations and rescheduling for passengers travelling to and from the Middle East and Istanbul until March 31, 2026.
In a post on X, IndiGo said, "Full waiver on cancellations are being extended for travel to and from the Middle East, and Istanbul, until March 31, 2026. If you are scheduled to travel, please stay updated on your flight status here http://bit.ly/31paVKQ. If you require additional support or clarification, please contact our Customer Contact Centre at +91 124 6173838."
"Please be assured that our teams remain actively engaged, working with care and diligence to support your travel plans while maintaining an unwavering commitment to the safety and well-being of our customers and crew," the X post read.
IndiGo's growth despite operational challenges
Despite recent disruptions, IndiGo recorded strong growth in 2025. According to aviation analytics firm OAG, the airline saw a 10 per cent increase in capacity during the year.
OAG said IndiGo, along with Wizz Air and LATAM, appeared in the top five across several growth indicators, including capacity growth, frequency growth, route growth and Available Seat Kilometre (ASK) growth.
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"IndiGo continues to record strong growth, with a capacity increase in 2025 of 10 per cent, but some operational challenges have come with this sustained level of growth," the firm noted.
However, the airline faced operational issues in late 2025. Following a large number of cancellations linked to pilot and crew rostering problems, the government directed IndiGo to reduce domestic operations by 10 per cent from late 2025 to March 2026.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the airline cancelled 5,689 flights, affecting around 9,00,000 passengers, due to issues related to implementing revised Flight Duty Time Limitations (FDTL) rules. A penalty of Rs 22 crore was imposed on the airline.
Workforce diversity milestone
Separately, IndiGo recently announced that it now has over 1,000 women pilots, becoming the first airline in India to achieve this milestone. Women pilots account for 17.5 per cent of the airline's pilot workforce, which is more than three times the global average.
Women also make up over 45 per cent of IndiGo's overall workforce, with representation across several departments. They account for more than 30 per cent of airport operations staff, almost 25 per cent of the Operations Control Centre workforce, over 20 per cent in finance, more than 15 per cent in digital roles, and over 23 per cent in leadership positions.
Sukhjit Singh Pasricha, Group Chief Human Resources Officer, IndiGo, said, "On International Women's Day, we are proud to announce that IndiGo now has over 1,000 women pilots, among the highest in the world. This milestone truly reflects the spirit of Girl Power at IndiGo. As we continue to give wings to the nation, we remain committed to creating more opportunities for talented women to soar and shape the future of aviation."
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Moreover, on the occasion of International Women's Day, the airline has also unveiled a film on social media which celebrates women and brings alive the theme of girl power.
The airline said it continues to promote diversity and inclusion through several initiatives, including programmes that support women returning to work after career breaks and internal communities aimed at strengthening professional networks.
