India’s national carrier Air India on Tuesday announced that it will operate 36 additional flights between March 19 and March 28, 2026, across five major international routes connecting North America and Europe.

The move comes in response to a surge in global travel demand triggered by ongoing tensions and conflict in the Middle East. The additional flights will add a total of 10,012 seats, offering much-needed relief to passengers facing limited travel options.

According to the airline, the extra services will be available on the following routes:

• Delhi – London (Heathrow)
• Mumbai – London (Heathrow)
• Delhi – Frankfurt
• Delhi – Zurich
• Delhi – Toronto

All these flights will be operated as non-stop services from Delhi and Mumbai.

This follows an earlier announcement by Air India, where it scheduled 78 additional flights across nine routes between March 10 and March 18. Meanwhile, Air India Express has also continued operating 48 additional flights to destinations in the Middle East.

The decision comes amid rapidly escalating tensions in the region, particularly following the reported death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. The situation has significantly impacted global travel, especially after disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

Due to restricted airspace over Iran and nearby regions, airlines are being forced to reroute flights, which may increase travel time by one to two hours.

Air India has advised passengers to regularly check their flight status before departure, as conditions in the Middle East remain volatile. Travelers are also being notified of updates via SMS and email alerts.