As tensions rise in the Middle East, Indian airlines are facing major disruptions, with more than 760 international flights canceled due to airspace closures.
Indian airlines faced widespread flight cancellations and suspensions and longer alternative routes on Monday, as the escalating conflict in the Middle East closed airspace, extending a third straight day of disruptions, according to various airlines.
IndiGo extends suspension period and offers concessions
IndiGo said it has extended the temporary suspension of select international flights operating across parts of the Middle East airspace as a “precautionary approach” focused on safety. It said some other international services may also be affected as conditions evolve.
IndiGo added that it is offering full flexibility, including free rescheduling or refund, for travel to and from the Middle East (West Asia) and other affected international sectors until March 7, 2026, for bookings made on or before February 28, 2026.
Separately, an IndiGo Bhubaneswar-Dubai flight scheduled for Monday was canceled due to tensions in West Asia, with passengers informed in advance, airport officials said, according to news agency PTI.
Indian Airlines stops Gulf flights and cancels European flights
Air India said it has extended the suspension of all flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar until 11.59pm AEDT on March 2, 2026.
The carrier has also canceled select Europe services scheduled for March 2, including flights between Delhi and Zurich, Delhi and Copenhagen, and Amritsar-Birmingham, along with return flights.
Other flights in Europe and North America will operate via alternative routes, increasing flight times, Air India said. Services will operate to New York’s JFK and Newark airports with technical stops in Rome. A company spokesperson said that affected passengers are being notified and assisted with alternative arrangements.
Aksa Airlines suspends its operations in the Middle East
Acasa Airlines has announced the suspension of all flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh, effective March 3, 2026, due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East. Passengers booked through March 7 may opt for a free refund or reschedule, the airline said, adding that more updates will be shared later in the day.
SpiceJet cancels 19 flights
SpiceJet canceled around 19 flights between India and the UAE on Monday, due to the closure of UAE airspace amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East, according to flight listings shared by the airline.
The cancellations cover outbound and inbound services on multiple routes, including Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Pune, Kochi, Calicut, Madurai, Amritsar and Jaipur, with Dubai and Sharjah as destinations on the Gulf side. The airline also canceled return flights from Dubai and Sharjah to Indian cities during the same period, worsening the impact on passengers.
Indian airports are seeing increasing cancellations
87 international flights, 37 departures and 50 arrivals at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were canceled on Monday as the unrest entered the third day, officials said. Indian airlines have canceled 760 foreign flights in the past two days due to airspace closures in the Middle East, news agency PTI reported.
Airports in Kolkata and across Kerala also reported severe disruptions, with dozens of Gulf-bound services canceled and airlines operating limited schedules. Authorities said airlines set up help desks and urged passengers to check flight status before traveling to airports.
Indian airlines stand out as among the worst affected outside the Middle East, with more than 350 flights canceled on Sunday alone, and more disruptions are expected to continue. Analysts noted that rerouting around closed airspace adds hours to flight times and deepens operational and financial pressure on airlines highly exposed to Middle East routes, according to Bloomberg.
Delhi airport authorities also warned that westbound international flights may continue to see delays or schedule changes and advised passengers to rely only on official updates.
(With inputs from agencies)
