Air India increases flights to Maldives and other destinations amid Middle East disruptions

Air India has increased its international flight operations, including services to the Maldives, as part of a temporary expansion introduced in response to widespread air travel disruptions caused by the conflict in the Middle East.

According to the airline, 78 additional flights will operate between 10 and 18 March, covering nine major routes linking Delhi and Mumbai with Europe, the United States, the Maldives and Sri Lanka. The move is aimed at meeting strong demand for reliable travel options as several West Asian air corridors face restrictions. 

The expanded schedule includes additional flights on the following routes:

• Delhi–New York (JFK)  

• Delhi–London (Heathrow)  

• Mumbai–London (Heathrow)  

• Delhi–Frankfurt  

• Delhi–Paris (CDG)  

• Delhi–Amsterdam  

• Delhi–Zurich  

• Delhi–Male'  

• Delhi–Colombo  

Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal told Indian media that the airline is maintaining operations through safe, alternative routings, and that the additional flights will offer passengers more dependable travel options during a period of uncertainty. 

The temporary expansion adds 17,660 seats across the nine routes. Wide‑body Boeing 787‑8 aircraft will operate most European services, while flights to Male' and Colombo will use Airbus A320neo aircraft. 

The increase comes at a time when flights to the Maldives have declined due to the Middle East conflict, affecting tourist arrivals. According to the Tourism Ministry, 6,000 tourists arrived on 1 January, but the number had fallen to 4,000 by Monday, reflecting the impact of disrupted air travel through Gulf hubs.