Air India Cancels Flights Amid Escalating Iran-Israel Conflict; Advisory Issued
The ongoing Iran-Israel conflict has begun to significantly impact global travel, with several airlines, including India’s national carrier Air India, forced to cancel or reroute international flights. As tensions continue to rise in the Middle East following Iran’s attack on an American base, flight operations to and from the region have been severely affected.
Although former US President Donald Trump had earlier claimed a ceasefire had been reached, Iran promptly denied any such agreement. The subsequent military escalation has created a volatile situation in the region, disrupting air traffic over key corridors between Asia, Europe, and the Americas.
Flights Cancelled or Rerouted
Air India announced on Tuesday morning that it had cancelled several international flights, particularly to the Middle East, the eastern United States, and parts of Europe. Flights from major Indian cities—such as Lucknow to Dammam, Mumbai to Kuwait, and Amritsar to Dubai—were either cancelled or rerouted back over the Arabian Sea to ensure passenger safety.
Impact on Indian Aviation Sector
India’s aviation sector, which includes major carriers such as IndiGo, Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, Akasa Air, SpiceJet, and Air Arabia, has been heavily impacted. A significant proportion of India’s international flights are bound for Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai—cities that are now under increased operational uncertainty due to the conflict.
“The ongoing tensions in the Middle East are likely to affect multiple foreign-bound flights from India,” an industry insider noted, adding that contingency plans are being reviewed by all airlines.
Qatar Closes Airspace
In a further blow to aviation operations, Qatar shut its airspace at 9 PM on Monday. This prompted the immediate recall of multiple flights from Indian cities that were en route to Doha. Authorities have stated that normal operations will resume only after the security situation stabilizes in the region.
Passengers are advised to check with their respective airlines for real-time updates and revised schedules. Air India has also issued a travel advisory and urged passengers to stay updated through official channels.
The situation remains fluid, and further cancellations or delays may be expected in the coming days depending on the geopolitical developments in the Middle East.