Amid escalating tensions in West Asia and widespread disruption to international air travel, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has issued an advisory for foreign nationals currently stranded in the country due to sudden flight cancellations and airspace restrictions.
The advisory comes as aviation routes across parts of Iran and the Middle East remain restricted following heightened military hostilities, severely impacting global connectivity.
In an official statement released on Sunday, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged affected foreign travellers to approach immigration authorities for assistance.
"All foreign nationals in India, who have had to change their travel plans due to the ongoing developments in the West Asia region and need assistance with extension of their visa or to regularize their stay, are requested to contact the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO)," the MEA said. "The FRRO concerned will help with necessary formalities."
The advisory is intended to prevent visa overstay issues for travellers whose departures have been delayed due to cancelled or rescheduled flights.
The Foreigners Regional Registration Offices (FRROs), functioning under India’s immigration framework, are responsible for visa extensions, stay regularisation and related compliance procedures for foreign nationals. Authorities have indicated that affected travellers will be assisted on a case-by-case basis depending on visa category and travel circumstances.
The advisory follows continued airspace closures over Iran and key Middle Eastern sectors, which have significantly impacted flight schedules.
Earlier in the day, the Ministry of Civil Aviation reported large-scale cancellations affecting international routes.
In a post on X early Sunday, the ministry stated:
"Due to airspace restrictions over Iran and parts of the Middle East, 410 flights of domestic carriers were cancelled on 28 February, and 444 flights are expected to be cancelled on 1 March."
The figures highlight the scale of disruption impacting passengers across major Indian airports.
Air India confirmed the cancellation of 22 additional international services for Sunday, raising the total overseas cancellations linked to the crisis to 50.
Other major airlines have also suspended or altered operations, including:
Emirates
Etihad Airways
IndiGo
Gulf Air
These carriers operate extensive networks connecting India with Gulf transit hubs, Europe and North America.
At Chennai International Airport, 18 international flights operating between Chennai and Gulf countries were cancelled, according to airport sources.
Authorities advised passengers travelling overseas — particularly those connecting via West Asian transit hubs — to verify their flight status directly with airlines before heading to the airport.
Tiruchirappalli International Airport also confirmed that Air India Express services on the Dubai–Tiruchirappalli sector scheduled for Sunday had been cancelled. Travellers were urged to check updated schedules prior to departure.
Across multiple airports, passengers faced extended waiting times as airlines revised schedules in response to rapidly shifting security conditions.
The aviation crisis follows a significant escalation in hostilities in West Asia. On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched a major attack on Iran. In retaliation, Iran reportedly fired missiles and drones at Israel and targeted US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar.
The developments prompted immediate airspace restrictions across affected regions, forcing airlines to cancel flights or reroute aircraft to avoid high-risk corridors.
Aviation experts note that Middle Eastern airspace functions as a critical global transit pathway linking Asia with Europe and North America. Even temporary closures can result in cascading global flight disruptions, longer travel times and increased operational costs.
With hundreds of flights cancelled and airspace restrictions continuing across parts of West Asia, foreign nationals stranded in India are being advised to proactively contact their nearest FRRO to avoid visa-related complications.
As geopolitical tensions evolve, Indian authorities and airlines are closely monitoring developments while prioritising passenger safety. Travellers are encouraged to remain in contact with airlines, check official advisories regularly and explore flexible booking or rebooking options where possible.
The situation remains fluid, and further operational changes may occur depending on regional security assessments.