Air India Suspends Middle East Flights Till March 2; Europe Routes Also Cancelled

Rising geopolitical tensions linked to the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict have severely disrupted international aviation corridors connecting India with the Middle East and parts of Europe. Escalating security concerns and temporary airspace closures across key Gulf nations have led to widespread flight cancellations, extended suspensions and rerouted long-haul services.

In response to the rapidly evolving situation, Air India has prolonged the suspension of its services to several Middle Eastern destinations while also cancelling select Europe-bound flights scheduled for March 2, 2026.

Air India Extends Suspension to UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar

Air India confirmed that all flights to and from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar will remain suspended until 2359 hrs IST on 2 March 2026.

The decision follows restricted airspace access across multiple Middle Eastern sectors, which are crucial transit corridors for flights between India and Europe or North America.

European Routes Also Affected

Due to operational constraints stemming from restricted airspace availability, the following Europe-bound flights scheduled for March 2 have been cancelled:

• AI117: Amritsar to Birmingham

• AI151/AI152: Delhi to Zurich

• AI157/AI158: Delhi to Copenhagen

• AI114: Birmingham to Delhi

The airline stated,
“All other flights to North America and Europe will operate per schedule using alternative routings over available airspaces in the Middle East, which is expected to add to the flying times.”

Technical Halt for US Flights

Flights operating to New York (JFK) and Newark (Liberty International) will now make a technical stop at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport to accommodate revised flight paths and fuel requirements.

Air India further clarified:
“Air India continues to closely monitor the situation and has carefully assessed the evolving circumstances across multiple parameters, including safety, security, airspace availability, and operational feasibility, before deciding on these operations for 2 March 2026. We will share updates, based on further assessments, at an appropriate time.”

Other Airlines Announce Temporary Suspensions

Low-cost carrier Akasa Air has also suspended operations to Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh until March 02, 2026. Passengers holding bookings affected until March 07, 2026, are eligible for a full refund or free rescheduling.

Dubai-based Emirates temporarily paused flights to and from Dubai until 3 pm (UAE time) on March 2.

Meanwhile, operations at Hamad International Airport were suspended following the closure of Qatari airspace.

Air India Express alone cancelled more than 110 flights due to operational limitations triggered by airspace restrictions.

Major Indian Airports Witness Large-Scale Cancellations

The ripple effect of Middle Eastern airspace closures was immediately visible at major Indian airports.

Delhi Airport

At Indira Gandhi International Airport, approximately 100 flights were cancelled, including 60 departures and 40 arrivals. Several passengers were left stranded as international departures faced abrupt changes.

Mumbai Airport

Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport reported 125 flight cancellations, comprising 67 departures and 58 arrivals.

Tiruchirappalli Airport

At Tiruchirappalli International Airport, authorities confirmed cancellation of 17 arrivals and 16 departures on March 1, along with additional cancellations scheduled for March 2.

Airport authorities across India have advised travellers to verify flight status before heading to terminals, cautioning that international services may face delays, rerouting or last-minute cancellations depending on security developments.

Government Activates Passenger Assistance Control Room

In light of the disruption, the Ministry of Civil Aviation activated the Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) to address passenger grievances and coordinate emergency responses.

Complaints and queries received via social media, the AirSewa portal and dedicated helplines are being closely tracked and prioritised. In coordination with airlines and airport authorities, the Control Room has resolved 411 passenger grievances during the ongoing crisis.

Indian Embassy helpline numbers in affected countries were also shared with passengers to assist with emergency coordination and travel support.

Broader Impact on Global Aviation

The Middle East acts as one of the most critical aviation transit corridors globally, linking Asia with Europe and North America. Disruptions in this airspace typically force airlines to take longer alternate routes, increasing flight duration, fuel consumption and operational costs.

Industry experts note that extended airspace restrictions can affect ticket prices, aircraft scheduling and crew rotations if the situation persists.

Conclusion

The ongoing Israel–Iran tensions have significantly disrupted international air travel, particularly between India and major Middle Eastern hubs. With Air India extending its suspension until 2359 hrs IST on 2 March 2026 and multiple global carriers adjusting operations, passengers are advised to remain vigilant and check flight updates regularly.

While airlines continue to explore alternative routings to maintain connectivity with Europe and North America, the situation remains fluid. Government coordination through the Passenger Assistance Control Room has provided relief to hundreds of stranded passengers, but further adjustments may be required depending on geopolitical developments.

Travellers planning international journeys over the coming days should monitor airline advisories closely and consider flexible booking options.