Israel-Iran conflict: Countries Indians can’t fly to or from amid airspace closures

Passengers wait at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai after flights to Middle East countries were delayed amid the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict.

• US-Israel strikes on Iran disrupt air travel in Middle East
• Indian airlines cancel 350+ flights, avoid 11 countries' airspace
• MEA urges Indians to avoid Iran, Israel, and stay alert in Gulf

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With the US and the Israel conducting joint missile strikes on Iran, the Middle East has been plunged into a turmoil as Tehran triggered retaliatory attacks and caused widespread instability across the region.

The conflict has disrupted air travel, forced airport closures, and prompted India to issue urgent advisories urging its citizens in Iran, Israel, and Gulf countries, including the UAE, to exercise utmost caution.

Following the strikes during the weekend,  around 350 international flights run by Indian airlines were cancelled on March 1 due to restricted airspace in the Middle East. Additional cancellations and extensions continued into 2 March as the conflict between Isreal and Iran escalated and airlines updated their operations.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has advised Indian airlines to avoid the airspace of 11 countries temporarily due to safety concerns. Due to airspace closures and airport disruptions following strikes and retaliatory actions, flights on these routes have been primarily disrupted or cancelled. These include Iran, Israel, Lebanon, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar.

Airlines involved 

Air India- Suspended flights to all Middle Eastern destinations until March 2, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat, Riyadh, Jeddah, etc. It also announced cancellations of numerous long-haul international flights, especially those routing through or relying on Middle East airspace services. Most of the long-haul flights were flying from Delhi, Amritsar and Mumbai to international destinations such as London, New York and Frankfurt and Paris.

Indigo- Halted Indian flights to/from the Middle East, such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait, Oman, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, until March 2 as a safety precaution. The carrier will give full refund/reschedule flexibility through 7 March, 2026, for affected bookings.

Akasa Air: Suspended to/from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, Riyadh until March 2.

Air India Express: Suspended many westbound international services, such as as Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, Riyadh

SpiceJet: Cancelled flights between India and UAE destinations such as Dubai

Many flights to Europe/North America were also cancelled due to ancillary impacts such as inability to use traditional transit routes through the Gulf region.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has advised Indian citizens to avoid travel to Iran and Israel amid heightened tensions, for safety reasons. It also advised Indian nationals in Gulf countries (UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait) to stay cautious and follow local advisories.