West Asia Tensions Disrupt European-Indian Flights

Amid rising tensions in West Asia, flights from Europe to India have been affected with airlines such as Lufthansa canceling routes to avoid risky airspaces. Air India and Vistara have already stopped using Iranian airspace, and adjustments are being made to ensure passenger safety. The situation is being closely monitored.

Amid escalating tensions in West Asia, some flights from Europe to India have been impacted, with Air India closely monitoring the situation, according to officials.

German carrier Lufthansa on Wednesday cancelled its flights from Hyderabad to Frankfurt (LH753/01) and from Mumbai to Frankfurt (LH757/01) due to the current situation in West Asia.

This follows the airline canceling services from Frankfurt to Hyderabad and Mumbai on Tuesday. "Passengers have been rerouted or accommodated," Jeffrey James, Head of Lufthansa Group Communications - Asia Pacific, told PTI on Wednesday.

Lufthansa operates around 65 weekly flights from Europe to India. Officials in the know said Air India and Vistara have stopped using Iranian airspace some time back.

On Wednesday, an Air India official said it assesses all flights daily for any potential security or safety risks whether in the Middle East or any other part of its route network. "Adjustments are made, if required, to avoid areas of risk with minimal impact on our non-stop operations. The situation is being monitored closely," the official said.

Air India has already suspended flights to Tel Aviv (Israel) until further notice. The airline flies to 44 international destinations, including various European cities, while Vistara has direct services to Paris, Frankfurt, and London.

Some European carriers have changed their routes to fly to India. LOT Polish Airlines' flight from Warsaw to Delhi is not using Iranian airspace on Wednesday. The flight had flown through Iranian airspace on September 30, according to data from flight tracking website Flightradar24.

Meanwhile, Lufthansa Group's Jeffrey James said its flights will continue to avoid Israeli airspace up to and including October 31.

The tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated, with India calling for restraint by all sides and emphasizing that the conflict must not take a wider regional dimension.

The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on Wednesday issued a Conflict Zone Information Bulletin recommending operators not to perform flights in Iranian airspace at any flight levels.

After consultations with the European Union, EASA issued the bulletin in view of the Iranian attack against Israel on October 1 and Israel's announcement of its intention to retaliate. "EASA will continue to monitor the situation closely, to assess whether there is an increase or decrease of risks for EU aircraft operators as a result of the evolution of the threat," it said in a statement.

(With inputs from agencies.)