Air travel has been severely disrupted around the world as major airlines cancel numerous flights due to heightened tensions in the Middle East following the military strikes involving Iran and Israel. The uncertainty over airspace safety and ongoing security risks have forced carriers to rethink schedules, affecting passengers across Asia, Europe, the Gulf and beyond.
In India, several carriers have announced cancellations for March 2, impacting both international and regional services. IndiGo confirmed that select flights to and from the Middle East, including destinations in the UAE and Qatar, have been called off as a precaution. Air India has extended suspensions on routes to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel and Qatar until late Monday night, also affecting some Europe-bound flights. The airline cited airspace closures and operational safety concerns in the region.
Several international carriers have also altered schedules like Emirates suspended flights between Dubai and a number of regional destinations, including some Gulf and South Asian cities. While Qatar Airways cancelled Doha services to select airports due to insecure airspace conditions. Also Air France and KLM also reported disruptions on routes connecting Europe with the Middle East and South Asia.
Airport authorities in Bangalore and other Indian cities confirmed that multiple departures and arrivals were cancelled, particularly those headed to or coming from the Gulf region. Many travellers were left waiting at terminals, while airlines scrambled to rebook passengers or offer refunds.
The cancellations follow warnings from aviation regulators about the risks of flying near conflict zones. Several countries temporarily closed airspace over parts of the Middle East, prompting rerouting or grounding of flights that normally transit through these corridors.
Passengers travelling over the next few days have been urged to check flight statuses with their airlines before heading to the airport, as carriers continue to monitor the situation closely. Many airlines have also offered flexible rebooking options given the uncertainty.
The disruptions have compounded the disruption already felt in global travel markets following rising geopolitical tensions, with airlines citing crew safety, fuel concerns and unpredictable airspace restrictions as key factors in their operational decisions.
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