Air India has announced plans to operate 78 additional flights over the next week to key international destinations as global travel continues to be affected by the ongoing tensions in West Asia.

The airline said the extra services will operate between March 10 and March 18, 2026, in response to strong passenger demand for reliable long-haul connectivity during the current disruption.

According to the carrier, the temporary expansion will add around 17,660 seats in both directions across nine international routes linking India with Europe, North America and neighbouring regional destinations.

The additional flights will connect New Delhi and Mumbai with major global hubs, including several European cities as well as destinations in the United States and South Asia.

The nine routes covered under the expanded schedule include:

  • Delhi – New York City (JFK Airport)
  • Delhi – London (Heathrow Airport)
  • Mumbai – London (Heathrow Airport)
  • Delhi – Frankfurt
  • Delhi – Paris (Charles de Gaulle Airport)
  • Delhi – Amsterdam
  • Delhi – Zurich
  • Delhi – Malé
  • Delhi – Colombo

The airline said these additional services are aimed at maintaining connectivity and providing passengers with more travel options during a period when aviation routes in parts of West Asia are facing disruptions due to the evolving security situation.

Air India will deploy a mix of widebody and narrowbody aircraft for these operations. Flights to major European destinations will be operated using the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, which is part of the airline’s long-haul fleet.

Meanwhile, the proposed flights between Delhi and New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport are expected to be operated using the Boeing 777-300ER, subject to regulatory approvals.

Regional services to Malé in the Maldives and Colombo in Sri Lanka will be operated using the Airbus A320neo aircraft, which are commonly used for short- and medium-haul routes.

The airline said the additional flights are being introduced to meet growing demand for dependable international travel options, particularly on long-haul routes connecting India with Europe and North America.

By adding extra capacity on key corridors, Air India aims to support passenger mobility and reduce travel disruptions during this period. Passengers are advised to check flight schedules and updates through official airline channels, as operations may change depending on regulatory clearances and evolving operational conditions.