Air India Adds Additional Flights to Maldives Amid Regional Disruptions

Air India has announced a significant temporary expansion of its international flight operations including additional services to the Maldives in response to widespread airspace disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. The airline will operate 78 supplementary flights between 10 and 18 March, adding more than 17,600 seats across nine major international routes.

The move comes as several key West Asian air corridors remain restricted, forcing airlines to reroute or reduce services. The Maldives, which relies heavily on connectivity through Gulf hubs, has experienced a noticeable decline in tourist arrivals as a result. According to the Maldives Tourism Ministry, daily arrivals fell from 6,000 on 1 January to 4,000 earlier this week, reflecting the impact of reduced flight options through the region.

Air India’s expanded schedule will strengthen links between Delhi and Mumbai and major destinations in Europe, the United States, South Asia, and the Maldives. The additional flights include services to New York, London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam, Zurich, Male’, and Colombo. Wide‑body Boeing 787‑8 aircraft will operate most European routes, while Airbus A320neo aircraft will serve Male’ and Colombo.

Air India Chief Commercial Officer Nipun Aggarwal told Indian media that the airline is maintaining operations through safe, alternative routings, and that the temporary expansion is designed to provide passengers with more reliable travel options during a period of uncertainty.

The increase in flights is expected to offer a timely boost to the Maldives tourism sector, which has been affected by the reduced availability of flights transiting the Middle East. The added capacity aims to stabilise connectivity and support travellers seeking alternatives to disrupted Gulf routes.