Flight Operations Disrupted: How Middle East Tensions Are Affecting Air Travel

As tensions rise in the Middle East, flight operations are facing significant disruptions. With 278 international flights cancelled and only 96 scheduled to operate, travelers are urged to stay informed. Major airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata report numerous cancellations, while airlines like Akasa Air and SpiceJet are stepping in to assist stranded passengers. The civil aviation ministry is coordinating efforts to address passenger grievances. Stay updated on the latest developments affecting air travel in this critical situation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 6, 2026, 21:08 IST

Impact of Middle East Conflict on Flight Services

New Delhi: On Friday, domestic airlines are set to operate 96 flights to and from the Middle East, while 278 international flights have been cancelled due to escalating tensions in the region, as reported by the government.

Flight operations have been severely affected by airspace restrictions and closures amid the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran, which has intensified recently.

The civil aviation ministry indicated that the developments in West Asia have led to significant disruptions in flight operations across various sectors.

"Today, Indian domestic carriers have scheduled a total of 96 flights to and from Middle Eastern destinations. However, 278 flights that were planned for today have been cancelled," the ministry stated.

Earlier reports indicated that over 140 international flights were cancelled at major airports in Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, and Kolkata due to the crisis in the Middle East.

Specifically, 142 flights were cancelled across these four airports, with Mumbai seeing 39 departures and 34 arrivals cancelled.

Bangalore airport reported 33 cancellations, including 15 departures and 18 arrivals, while Delhi had 15 departures and 14 arrivals cancelled.

Kolkata airport experienced the cancellation of seven flights, comprising four departures and three arrivals, according to officials.

Akasa Air announced it would operate the Mumbai-Jeddah-Mumbai flight on Friday, and on Saturday, it plans to run flights from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, and Kochi to Jeddah, as shared on X.

SpiceJet is also stepping in, operating 14 special flights from the UAE to assist stranded passengers.

Air India and Air India Express have resumed services to Jeddah and Muscat, as airspaces over Saudi Arabia and Oman are deemed safe for operations, according to a statement from Air India on Thursday.

However, the Air India group has suspended operations to and from other West Asian destinations until March 10 due to ongoing airspace closures in several countries in the region.

Passengers are advised to stay updated on flight statuses and to pay attention to communications from their airlines through registered contact information.

The Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) at the ministry is actively coordinating with airlines and stakeholders to resolve issues.

"To date, 1,881 passenger complaints have been addressed via AirSewa, social media, and helpline calls," the ministry noted in its statement.