No disruption: Air India Express operates Mangaluru flights to three Gulf cities

Air India Express operated its scheduled services between Mangaluru and key Gulf destinations on April 13 without disruption, maintaining regular connectivity despite broader aviation uncertainties.

According to Team Herald, the airline ran flights on the Mangaluru–Dubai–Mangaluru (IX 6040/6041), Mangaluru–Abu Dhabi–Mangaluru (IX 6083/6086), and Mangaluru–Jeddah–Mangaluru (IX 845/847) routes as per plan. Sources at Mangaluru International Airport confirmed that operations proceeded on the normal timetable.

The continued operations reinforce Mangaluru’s role as a key gateway for passengers travelling between coastal Karnataka and major Middle Eastern hubs. The routes primarily serve the large expatriate workforce commuting between India and the Gulf region.

Stability amid wider sector pressures

The uninterrupted schedule comes at a time when parts of the global aviation sector are facing pressures linked to fuel costs and supply concerns. Against this backdrop, the airline’s ability to maintain regular services signals operational stability on these routes.

For passengers, the development offers short-term certainty on connectivity, even as the broader aviation environment remains fluid.

Aviation sector under pressure from conflict

The ongoing conflict in West Asia has significantly disrupted aviation operations, particularly across key transit corridors linking Europe, Asia and the Gulf.

Airspace closures and restrictions in parts of the region have forced airlines to take longer alternative routes, often adding one to two hours to flight times. This has increased fuel burn and operational costs at a time when crude oil prices remain elevated.

Airlines have also had to navigate rapidly changing conditions, with airspace availability shifting at short notice due to missile or drone activity. This unpredictability has made flight planning more complex and reduced scheduling flexibility.

In several cases, carriers have either suspended services to affected destinations or limited operations to approved “safe corridors” under strict regulatory oversight.

Rising costs and operational challenges

The conflict has also intensified pressure on airline finances. Jet fuel prices have risen sharply in recent weeks, reflecting volatility in global oil markets linked to geopolitical tensions.

Fuel is typically one of the largest cost components for airlines, and sustained increases can directly impact profitability and ticket pricing.

At the same time, longer flight paths and holding patterns are reducing aircraft utilisation, while crew duty limits are becoming harder to manage due to extended flying times.

Industry bodies have also flagged broader concerns, including supply chain constraints and limited availability of spare parts, which continue to affect fleet readiness across markets.

Safety concerns reshape operations

Safety has become a central focus for airlines operating in or near the conflict zone. Regulators in Europe and elsewhere have issued advisories warning against flying over certain areas, prompting airlines to adopt more conservative routing strategies.

Pilots and crew have also raised concerns about operating in volatile airspace, where sudden closures or diversions can occur mid-flight. This has added another layer of complexity to airline decision-making.

Airlines in the Gulf have continued to operate through designated corridors, but international carriers remain cautious, with many opting to avoid high-risk zones altogether.