West Asia conflict: Over 1,000 flights hit as global airlines suspend routes; Indian carriers cancel 300+

With conflict-sensitive zones stretching across Iran and Iraq, airlines are navigating narrower operational windows, leading to delays, longer travel times and mounting logistical challenges.

• Airlines cancel and reroute flights due to West Asia conflict
• Major hubs like Dubai and Doha shut, stranding thousands
• Indian carriers cancel flights, Europe routes most affected

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Global airlines cancelled and diverted hundreds of flights for a third straight day on Monday as the escalating US-Israel military action against Iran triggered widespread airspace closures across West Asia, disrupting travel through some of the world’s busiest aviation hubs.

Major transit centres, including Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi, were shut for extended periods, stranding tens of thousands of passengers and forcing carriers to suspend or reroute services.

Source: Bloomberg

According to Reuters, airlines across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East announced sweeping cancellations affecting routes to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Tehran, Dubai, Riyadh and other regional destinations.

International airlines suspend, reroute flights

Emirates and Qatar Airways have each scrapped more than 400 flights as of late Sunday (New York time), flight-tracking data showed, placing them among the most severely affected airlines.

In India, IndiGo, which operates multiple routes to Dubai, Doha, and Jeddah, recorded the highest number of cancellations among non-West Asian carriers.

Airport closures have compounded the crisis. Operations were suspended at Dubai International Airport, the primary base for Emirates, where over 600 outbound flights were cancelled. Doha’s Hamad International Airport also halted services, significantly disrupting Qatar Airways’ global network.

Elsewhere, Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion International Airport and Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport were among other key gateways impacted, as airlines scrambled to navigate closed airspace and mounting operational constraints across the region.

>> Aegean Airlines suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut and Erbil through March 3.

>> Air France cancelled services to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Dubai and Riyadh through March 3, while KLM warned of disruptions to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam through March 6 and suspended Tel Aviv flights.

>> British Airways allowed free date changes for passengers travelling between London and Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv through March 15. Refunds were offered for those travelling up to March 8.

>> Cathay Pacific cancelled Dubai flights until March 5 and suspended Riyadh services through March 3.

>> Emirates and Etihad Airways temporarily halted operations from their Dubai and Abu Dhabi hubs, respectively on March 2.

>> ITA Airways, Lufthansa, LOT Polish Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Norwegian Air, Singapore Airlines, Scoot, Turkish Airlines, and Wizz Air all announced suspensions or rerouting of services across conflict-affected airspace.

>> Japan Airlines suspended Tokyo–Doha flights, affecting about 1,000 passengers across six services.

>> Qatar Airways temporarily halted flights due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

Airlines cited safety risks, restricted air corridors, and operational feasibility concerns as reasons for the sweeping suspensions.

Impact on Indian aviation

The disruption has significantly affected Indian carriers and international travel to and from India.

At Delhi airport alone, 410 flights operated by Indian airlines were cancelled on February 28. On March 1, at least 350 flights were scrapped. By March 2, a minimum of 300 flights were expected to be impacted as carriers continued to adjust schedules and reroute aircraft.

The civil aviation ministry said Indian airlines cancelled around 350 international flights on Sunday amid the escalating crisis.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is coordinating with airlines and related agencies to manage the fallout. A Passenger Assistance Control Room has been activated to address grievances and support stranded travellers.

Air India extends suspension, reroutes Europe and US flights

Air India has extended the suspension of all flights to and from the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar until 11:59 pm IST on March 2, 2026.

In a statement posted under a #TravelAdvisory, the airline said, “In view of the continuing situation in the Middle East, Air India has extended the suspension of all flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until 2359 hrs IST on 2 March 2026.”

The carrier also cancelled six Europe-bound services on March 2, along with their return legs:

>> Amritsar–Birmingham (AI117)

>> Birmingham–Delhi (AI114)

>> Delhi–Zurich (AI151 and AI152)

>> Delhi–Copenhagen (AI157 and AI158)

The airline, which cancelled 50 international flights on Sunday, said all other flights to North America and Europe would operate via alternative routings over available Middle Eastern airspace.

Flights to New York’s JFK and Newark Liberty International Airport will operate with technical stops at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.

With Iranian and Iraqi airspace closed, officials said Air India aircraft are using routes via Oman, southern Saudi Arabia and Egypt to reach European and North American destinations. This is expected to add 30–40 minutes to flying time for Europe-bound flights and increase operating costs.

The airline said it is continuously assessing safety, security, airspace availability and operational feasibility before finalising schedules and has begun notifying affected passengers while arranging alternate travel options.

Europe routes worst hit

Flights to key European cities, including London, Zurich, Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Milan and Vienna have been among the worst affected due to restricted airspace and rerouting through longer southern corridors.

With conflict-sensitive zones stretching across Iran and Iraq, airlines are navigating narrower operational windows, leading to delays, longer travel times and mounting logistical challenges.