Furthermore, passengers were advised not to travel to the airport and to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights
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RAMAKRISHNA G
India-based airlines have suspended flights on select international and Middle East routes, citing safety as their top priority amid the evolving situation across parts of the Gulf and Middle East.
The disruption follows air strikes in Iran on Saturday by US-Israeli aircraft, which resulted in retaliation by the Iranian regime. Accordingly, several Middle East and Gulf States have closed their airspace, forcing around 200 flights of India-based airlines to be cancelled.
On its part, airline major IndiGo said in a travel advisory, “In view of evolving airspace restrictions around Iran and Middle East, all flights to and from Middle East are cancelled till 0000hrs.”
Air India says it has cancelled some flights to North America and Europe scheduled on 1 March 2026.
It has also suspended flights to destinations in the Middle East, citing the “developing situation in parts of the Middle East.”
The airline also reported that AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on February 28 returned to India due to the closure of Israeli airspace, prioritising passenger and crew safety.
Besides, Akasa Air suspended flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha and Jeddah for February 28, while SpiceJet cancelled its UAE-bound flights.
Apart from India-based airlines, Middle East-hub carriers including Etihad and Emirates have also cancelled flights to and from India for Saturday and Sunday.
Presently, Qatar, Kuwait, and the UAE have closed their airspace. Key destinations affected include Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Riyadh and Tel Aviv — all major transit hubs for Indian passengers travelling onward to Europe and the U S.
In an advisory, Dubai Airports confirmed that all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended until further notice.
Furthermore, passengers were advised not to travel to the airport and to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights.
Despite these disruptions, industry insiders told businessline that flights from India to Europe, particularly the UK, are operating as scheduled till now (Februrary 28).
Further decisions on ultra-long-haul (ULH) flights are expected later in the evening, as most of these services depart late at night.
“It is highly likely that few European bound flights might take the Egyptian route whereas a majority of such flights are expected to be cancelled on Sunday (March 1, 2026). All US bound flights are also expected to be cancelled however, the decision on the same is still pending,” industry insiders told businessline.
response meeting
Meanwhile, Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu reviewed preparedness and response measures with all concerned stakeholders.
A high-level meeting was convened with senior officials from the Ministry of Civil Aviation, the Airports Authority of India, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, airline operators, and major airport operators across the country.
The meeting focused on passenger safety, operational continuity and real-time coordination in light of multiple airspace restrictions and NOTAMs.
Additionally, airports across the country have also been placed on operational alert to manage potential flight diversions, unscheduled landings, and passenger facilitation requirements.
In addition, DGCA issued an urgent safety advisory citing the region is considered a high-risk environment for civil aviation.
The advisory effective immediately until March 2, 2026, stated that critical hazards include the presence of advanced air-defense systems, ballistic missiles, and a high probability of “spill-over” risks, such as misidentification of civilian aircraft or military operational errors.
Moreover, the DGCA advised all Indian air operators to refrain from flying at any altitude within the Flight Information Regions (FIRs) of Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the UAE, among others.
Airline operators have been instructed to monitor updated Aeronautical Information Publications and NOTAMs, while noting that existing safety bulletins for Syrian and Yemeni airspace remain in effect.
Published on February 28, 2026