With geopolitical tensions escalating between Iran and the US, Indian travelers are facing widespread cancellations and disruptions to their flights through major airports.
Many passengers were stranded at various airports across India on Saturday after several international flights were canceled amid rising tensions between Israel and Iran, disrupting travel to and from the Middle East.
The unrest comes in the wake of heightened geopolitical tensions following military strikes by Israel and the United States targeting Iran, leading to retaliatory threats and temporary closures of airspace across Iran, Israel, Iraq, the United Arab Emirates, Jordan, Syria and parts of the Gulf region. Follow live updates on the US-Iran conflict here
Airlines around the world have been forced to suspend or redirect flights passing through these corridors.
Read also | Iran and Israel closed airspace as tensions rose after the Tehran strike
Bengaluru
At Bengaluru Airport, passengers flying to destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Italy reported their flights being abruptly cancelled, with airline staff citing the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict and the closure of airspace across West Asia. Some passengers said they were told that flights would resume only after a ceasefire was reached, leaving them unsure about when they could travel, news agency ANI reported.
Kempegowda International Airport shared an advisory for travelers on
Mumbai
Similarly, at Mumbai airport, stranded passengers complained of poor communication by airlines and airport authorities, saying they did not receive any advance notice of the cancellation. Many travelers heading to the US and Europe via Gulf hubs said they were left waiting without rebooking options or clarity on when operations will return to normal.
One of the passengers said, according to what the agency reported: “We were trying to return to the United States, and our flight was cancelled… We did not receive any information regarding the cancellation of our flight… We did not receive any messages. We have been here for nearly an hour now… We were heading through Bahrain….”
Read also | Iran-US conflict: Updated list of airports damaged amid rapid attacks – from Dubai to Bahrain
Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport shared an advice to passengers in this regard in a post on
Kolkata, Thiruvananthapuram
Flight disruptions were not limited to Bengaluru and Mumbai, as cancellations were also reported from Kolkata, particularly affecting passengers traveling to Doha, Dubai, Dammam and Abu Dhabi. The ANI report noted that foreign nationals were also among those affected by the sudden suspension.
Thiruvananthapuram International Airport was also among the airports that witnessed widespread flight disruptions, with several arrivals and departures canceled between February 28 and March 1.
According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, up to 444 flights are expected to be canceled on Saturday alone due to airspace restrictions, with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation in close coordination with airlines to ensure passenger safety and assistance at major airports.
Read also | What is happening in Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi now? Latest updates amid reports of evacuations in the Middle East
Global impact
The impact has been felt abroad as well, with a lawmaker from Karnataka stranded at Dubai International Airport after the UAE temporarily closed its airspace, leaving passengers on board awaiting further instructions amid overcrowding and limited facilities. Indian missions in the UAE and other West Asian countries have issued warnings and emergency helplines for stranded citizens, according to a separate report by PTI.
Globally, hundreds of thousands of travelers were stranded or diverted after major aviation hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha halted operations, canceling more than 1,000 flights and forcing airlines to reroute planes around the conflict zone, increasing delays and costs, the Associated Press reported. Aviation experts warned that the turbulence could continue for several days.
(With inputs from agencies)
Yamini CS is a senior content producer at Hindustan Times with nearly six years of experience in digital journalism. It is part of the India News Bureau, where it works on a wide range of stories covering civic issues, developments in cities, politics, governance, public policy, breaking news, trending topics and international affairs having an impact on India. Its role includes tracking fast-moving developments, verifying information from official and physical sources, and presenting news in a clear and accessible format for a digital-first audience. Much of her work involves handling live blogs during major news events, such as elections, court rulings, political developments, civil unrest, protests, weather alerts, and unfolding national and international events. With live coverage, it focuses on timely updates to help readers follow complex stories as they develop. Before moving to the wider India News Bureau, Yamini was associated with the Bengaluru bureau of Hindustan Times, where she extensively covered urban governance, infrastructure, traffic and transport issues, weather events, public grievances and civic administration in the city. This experience strengthened her anchoring in city reporting and increased her focus on citizen-focused journalism. She began her career as a Reuters correspondent after obtaining a postgraduate diploma in journalism from the Indian Institute of Journalism and New Media. Her early training instilled a strong emphasis on accuracy, sourcing, and news ethics, which continues to shape her reporting style. Outside of work, Yamini enjoys reading in various genres, listening to music, and spending time with her family, which helps her maintain balance in the fast-paced newsroom environment.Read more
