Indian airlines cancel Middle East flights as Iran Israel conflict disrupts air travel
K N Mishra
02/Mar/2026
What's covered under the Article:
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Air India, IndiGo, Akasa Air, SpiceJet and Air India Express cancelled several flights to the Middle East as rising Iran Israel tensions forced airspace restrictions.
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Hundreds of passengers were stranded at major airports like Delhi and Mumbai while airlines issued travel advisories and offered refunds or rescheduling options.
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Aviation regulator DGCA is coordinating with airlines to ensure safety as Middle East airspace disruptions affect routes to Europe and North America.
The Air India IndiGo Middle East flights cancelled news has created widespread disruption for international travellers as the escalating conflict in the Middle East begins to impact global aviation routes. Several major Indian airlines have suspended operations to and from the region after multiple countries closed their airspace due to the Iran Israel war impact flights.
The decision affects thousands of passengers travelling between India and Gulf countries and has also forced airlines to reroute long-haul international flights. Authorities say the step has been taken purely as a precautionary safety measure as tensions between Iran and Israel continue to escalate.
The sudden disruption has left hundreds of passengers stranded at major Indian airports, including New Delhi and Mumbai, as airlines cancel or reroute flights.
Airlines Suspend Flights to Middle East
Several leading Indian carriers have issued official travel advisories announcing flight cancellations.
These airlines include:
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Air India
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IndiGo
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Air India Express
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Akasa Air
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SpiceJet
The move comes after several Middle Eastern countries restricted or temporarily closed their airspace, making normal flight operations impossible or unsafe.
This has resulted in the India travel advisory Middle East conflict flights suspended situation currently affecting both passengers and airline operations.
Air India Cancels Multiple International Flights
Air India confirmed that it has extended the suspension of all flights to and from the Middle East until 11:59 PM on March 2, 2026.
The suspension affects flights to several major destinations including:
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United Arab Emirates
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Saudi Arabia
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Qatar
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Israel
In addition to Gulf routes, Air India also cancelled several European flights scheduled for March 2.
The affected flights include:
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AI117: Amritsar to Birmingham
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AI151: Delhi to Zurich
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AI152: Zurich to Delhi
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AI157: Delhi to Copenhagen
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AI158: Copenhagen to Delhi
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AI114: Birmingham to Delhi
These cancellations highlight how the Middle East airspace closure impact Indian passengers airports has extended beyond Gulf routes to affect global travel corridors.
Alternative Routes for Long Haul Flights
While flights to the Middle East have been suspended, Air India confirmed that some international routes to Europe and North America will continue operating using alternative flight paths.
However, the airline warned that these flights may take longer travel times because they must avoid closed or restricted airspace zones.
For example, flights to the United States will operate with technical stops in Europe.
Flights to:
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New York City via John F Kennedy International Airport
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Newark via Newark Liberty International Airport
will include technical stops at Rome Fiumicino Airport.
This adjustment allows airlines to bypass risky areas of the Middle East while still maintaining essential international connectivity.
IndiGo Issues Travel Advisory
India’s largest airline IndiGo also issued a detailed advisory explaining how the crisis could affect passenger travel plans.
The airline stated that safety remains its top priority and that operations will be adjusted based on the evolving situation.
Passengers travelling through Middle Eastern airspace have been advised to:
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Monitor flight status updates
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Check airline notifications
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Explore alternative travel routes if necessary
IndiGo also informed passengers that if their flights are affected, they may reschedule or claim refunds directly through the airline’s website.
This announcement forms part of the broader DGCA aviation advisory Iran Israel war impact flights, which is guiding airlines on safety and compliance during the crisis.
Akasa Air Suspends Gulf Flights
Another airline affected by the situation is Akasa Air, which confirmed the suspension of multiple routes to the Gulf region.
Flights to the following destinations have been temporarily halted:
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Abu Dhabi
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Doha
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Jeddah
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Kuwait City
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Riyadh
Akasa Air stated that the suspension will remain in effect until March 2, depending on how the security situation develops.
Passengers whose bookings are affected until March 7 have been offered free rescheduling or full refunds, helping minimise inconvenience for travellers.
SpiceJet Cancels International Flights
SpiceJet also cancelled several international flights due to ongoing airspace restrictions across the Middle East.
The airline advised passengers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport to avoid unnecessary inconvenience.
Airlines say they are closely monitoring the situation and will resume operations only after it is deemed safe to do so.
Air India Express Extends Flight Suspension
The Air India Express Akasa Air SpiceJet flight cancellations update also includes a major announcement from Air India Express.
The airline confirmed that it has extended the suspension of flights to multiple Gulf countries until March 2.
These include routes to:
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Bahrain
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Kuwait
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Oman
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Qatar
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Saudi Arabia
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United Arab Emirates
Passengers travelling on these routes have been offered two options:
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Reschedule travel without paying date-change fees
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Cancel the ticket and receive a full refund
Airlines say affected passengers are being contacted directly using their registered phone numbers and email addresses.
Role of India’s Aviation Regulator
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the situation.
The aviation regulator is coordinating with airlines to ensure full compliance with safety regulations and operational standards.
DGCA officials are working with airlines to:
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Assess risk levels for flight routes
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Ensure passenger safety
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Monitor international airspace restrictions
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Guide airlines on route adjustments
This coordination ensures that the DGCA aviation advisory Iran Israel war impact flights is implemented effectively.
Why Middle East Airspace Is Important
The Middle East plays a critical role in global aviation routes.
Many flights travelling between:
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Europe
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Asia
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North America
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Africa
pass through Middle Eastern airspace because it provides the most efficient and shortest routes.
When conflicts lead to airspace closures, airlines must take longer detours, which can increase:
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Flight duration
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Fuel consumption
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Operational costs
These disruptions can have global consequences for the aviation industry.
Impact on Indian Travellers
India has one of the largest expatriate populations living in the Gulf region.
Millions of Indian workers reside in countries like the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait and Oman.
Because of this strong connection, air travel between India and the Gulf is among the busiest international travel corridors in the world.
The India travel advisory Middle East conflict flights suspended situation has therefore affected a large number of travellers including:
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Business travellers
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Migrant workers
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Students
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Tourists
Airlines are working to minimise inconvenience through refunds and rescheduling options.
Global Aviation Industry Watching Closely
The Middle East airspace closure impact Indian passengers airports is being closely monitored by airlines and aviation authorities worldwide.
Major international carriers are adjusting routes and evaluating risks before operating flights across the region.
If tensions continue to escalate, more airlines may follow similar steps to protect passengers and crew.
Conclusion
The Air India IndiGo Middle East flights cancelled news highlights the far-reaching impact of geopolitical conflicts on global travel.
With the Iran Israel war impact flights forcing airspace closures and airline suspensions, thousands of passengers are experiencing disruptions across India and the Gulf region.
Airlines, regulators, and governments are closely monitoring the situation to ensure safety while providing support to affected travellers.
As tensions in the Middle East continue to evolve, the aviation sector remains on high alert, ready to adapt operations until stability returns to the region.
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