Air-India and Indian Airlines have decided to maintain their services to Kuwait despite a directive from the pilot unions of both the airlines to its members not to operate flights in and out of the Gulf country.

More than three weeks into the war, the Indian Commercial Pilots Association of IA issued the directive to its line pilots on April 7, while the Indian Pilots Guild of A-I asked its members on Tuesday not to operate services in and out of Kuwait.

Executive pilots of both the airlines are now operating the flights. A-I and Indian Airlines operate six and seven flights a week respectively.'

Air-India, in a statement on Wednesday, said it would continue to operate its services to Kuwait notwithstanding the directive of the IPG.

The decision to maintain services comes out of A-I's commitment, both as a national carrier and out of obligation to the large Indians settled in Kuwait who have traditionally been patronising its services, the statement said.

The IPG decision has baffled the management "as the worst in the Iraq war is now over" and the air space has been consistently regarded as safe by International Civil Aviation Organisations, the statement said.

Further, even global insurance companies, which impose enhanced premium whenever there is a slight risk due to war and other incidents have dropped the decision to levy higher premium seeing that there was very little risk involved in operation of flights.