Air India has introduced a temporary expansion of its international flight schedule, placing particular emphasis on increasing capacity to the Maldives as global air travel continues to experience disruptions linked to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
The airline confirmed that 78 additional flights will operate between 10 and 18 March across nine major routes. These services will connect Delhi and Mumbai with destinations including Malé, Colombo, and several key hubs in Europe and the United States. The initiative is intended to offer travelers dependable alternatives at a time when several West Asian air corridors remain subject to restrictions and delays.
Within the revised operational plan, the Maldives has been identified as a priority destination. Air India is deploying the Airbus A320neo to support increased frequencies between India and Malé, responding to rising demand for reliable travel routes during a period when traditional transit through major Gulf hubs has become less predictable. By selecting safe alternative flight paths that avoid affected regions, the airline aims to preserve schedule reliability for both leisure and business passengers, adding approximately 17,660 seats across the expanded network.
Nipun Aggarwal, Chief Commercial Officer of Air India, highlighted that the additional services are intended to offer passengers more stable travel options during a time of regional uncertainty. Long-haul operations to cities such as London and New York will continue to be served by the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, while the targeted increase in narrow-body services to the Maldives ensures the destination remains accessible despite the operational challenges currently affecting the wider aviation sector.
This operational adjustment also reinforces India’s role as a key transit gateway for travelers seeking to reach Malé without encountering complications related to Middle Eastern airspace limitations.
