Air India restarts limited Gulf services, offers free re-booking as West Asia airspace crisis eases
India stops accepting PIO cards for travel, mandates OCI conversion with immediate effect
Indian Embassy in UAE activates 24×7 helplines, highlights overstay-fine waiver amid Gulf crisis
Latest News
New Baggage Rules 2026 boost duty-free allowances for Indians and foreign visitors
India’s updated Baggage Rules raise duty-free limits to ₹75,000 for residents/NRIs and ₹25,000 for foreign tourists, introduce weight-based gold allowances and cut basic customs duty on personal goods to 10 percent. Digital declarations via the ATITHI app will speed up clearance, benefiting business travellers and assignees alike.
Consulate in Milan urges Indians to monitor airlines as Europe-India links restart
The Indian Consulate in Milan on 5 March advised nationals to check directly with airlines as flights between Italy and India remain uneven due to Gulf airspace issues. The post confirms Air India’s limited restart and provides helpline numbers, stressing that travellers should not rely on airport information alone. The guidance is crucial for corporates moving staff between northern Italy and India’s industrial hubs over the next week.
IndiGo Warns West Asia Flight Ban Could Erode Q4 Profit by 10 %
An equity note from PL Capital projects that IndiGo’s suspension of Gulf flights amid the Iran–US crisis could wipe out a tenth of its March-quarter profit. Hundreds of daily cancellations are disrupting India-Gulf business traffic, driving up fuel costs and forcing corporates to re-route travellers. Mobility teams should brace for fare spikes, schedule volatility and visa-compliance checks.
Maharashtra Sets Up Helpline as State Awaits Return of Citizens Trapped in West Asia
Maharashtra has activated a WhatsApp helpline and airport support desks as it works with New Delhi to repatriate citizens caught in the Gulf conflict. Chief Minister Fadnavis said all stranded residents should be back within three days, and he urged families and employers to register travellers on official portals to secure seats on Air India charters.