From Delhi to Dubai: Air India Halts Operations as West Asia Airspace Shuts Down

In a major disruption triggered by escalating conflict in the Middle East, Air India has cancelled all flights to and from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until 11:59 PM IST today.

The decision follows reported joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, which have prompted several countries in the region to shut their airspace, forcing global carriers to reroute or ground flights.

European Routes Also Affected

The crisis has extended beyond West Asia, significantly impacting Air India’s European operations. On Monday alone, six Europe-bound services were cancelled, including:

• Amritsar–Birmingham (AI 117) and Birmingham–Amritsar (AI 114)

• Delhi–Zurich (AI 151 and AI 152)

• Delhi–Copenhagen (AI 157 and AI 158)

This comes after nearly 50 international flights were cancelled on Sunday, reflecting the scale of operational disruption caused by restricted air corridors and safety concerns.

Air India is currently attempting to reroute certain long-haul flights to North America and Europe through alternative West Asian airspace, though operational constraints remain severe.

Safety First, Says Air India

In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Air India emphasised that passenger safety remains its top priority.

“We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers and hope for an early normalisation of the situation. Affected travellers are being informed through their registered contact details. Rebooking and alternative arrangements are underway.”

The airline has advised passengers to regularly check its official website or contact its 24/7 helpline for updates.

IndiGo Monitoring Situation Closely

Low-cost carrier IndiGo has also acknowledged the rapidly evolving geopolitical situation. In its own statement on X, IndiGo said it is closely monitoring developments across the Middle East and surrounding regions to ensure operational decisions remain safety-focused while minimising passenger inconvenience.

Thousands of Travellers in Limbo

With airspace closures and geopolitical tensions escalating, thousands of passengers remain stranded or uncertain about travel plans. The ripple effect of the crisis has underscored how quickly regional conflicts can disrupt global aviation networks.

Air India has assured passengers that it will continue to review the situation and provide timely updates as developments unfold. However, until regional airspace restrictions ease, significant disruption to international travel is likely to continue.