RIYADH, Mar 3: Indian airlines announced on Tuesday the partial resumption of commercial services to the Middle East as part of efforts to repatriate thousands of passengers stranded due to the ongoing conflict in the region.

IndiGo said it will operate four return flights to Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in a move aimed at progressively normalising operations between the two countries.

Air India Express confirmed it will resume flights to and from Muscat, the capital of Oman, starting Tuesday.

However, services to and from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remain suspended, the airlines said in a joint statement.

Budget carrier Akasa Air also announced plans to operate select flights to Jeddah.

Meanwhile, India’s Directorate General of Shipping reported four separate incidents involving Indian seafarers in the region, resulting in three fatalities and one injury. All were serving aboard foreign-flagged vessels at the time.

The Directorate said the remaining crew members are safe and that authorities are maintaining close coordination with relevant stakeholders to ensure their continued security.

Reported threats in the region have included missile and drone activity, electronic interference and other maritime security risks. The Directorate added that it is closely monitoring the evolving situation in the Arabian Gulf, Strait of Hormuz, Gulf of Oman and adjacent waters.