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As many as 48 flights – 28 arriving at Delhi airport and 20 departing from the capital – have been cancelled
Many flights coming to and from the Delhi airport have been cancelled owing to rising tensions in the Middle East and the closure of airspace. As many as 48 flights – 28 arriving at Delhi airport and 20 departing from the capital – have been cancelled.
The cancelled flights include 17 of Air India, eight of IndiGo and three of other airlines.
The flights scheduled to depart from Delhi but cancelled include 10 of Air India, seven of IndiGo and three of other airlines.
IndiGo on Tuesday morning said that as airports across the Middle East gradually reopen, it is “prudently and progressively resuming operations” on these routes.
We continue to monitor the situation closely and are fully considering the safest available flight paths to ensure secure and seamless travel. Please stay updated via our mobile app or website. Thank you for your continued understanding and trust,” the statement read.
Akasa Air also said that its flights operations to and from the region may be impacted due to the prevailing situation in the Middle East.
“We understand this may affect your travel plans and sincerely regret the inconvenience. Our teams are closely monitoring the evolving situation to ensure that all flight operations are within safe and approved airspace,” it said and asked passengers to check the flight status.
Airlines were on fresh alert late on Monday after Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Iraq, and Kuwait closed their countries’ airspace temporarily as Iran attacked the Al Udeid US military base in Doha.
As geopolitical tensions between Israel and Iran continue to intensify, ripple effects are being felt far beyond the Middle East — including in India. On Tuesday, at least 28 international flights bound for Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport were abruptly cancelled, leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and airlines scrambling for alternative arrangements.
The cancellations come in the wake of a dramatic escalation in hostilities between Israel and Iran, which has sparked widespread security concerns, including fears over airspace safety and potential retaliatory attacks in sensitive zones. India, a key regional hub for international air travel, is now grappling with the direct fallout of this conflict.
According to aviation officials and airline sources, the cancellations were largely due to airlines rerouting or grounding planes that would have flown through airspace deemed unsafe due to the Israel-Iran conflict.
Several global carriers, including those from Europe and the Middle East, were forced to either re-route planes — causing significant delays — or cancel flights altogether, especially those flying over the Gulf region, Iranian, or Israeli airspace. Delhi-bound flights from cities like London, Frankfurt, Tel Aviv, Dubai, and Istanbul were among the most affected.
A spokesperson for Delhi International Airport confirmed,
“We are in continuous coordination with all airlines and concerned authorities. Safety remains the top priority. Passengers have been advised to check with their respective airlines before heading to the airport.”
While the complete list of affected flights continues to evolve, here are some that were confirmed cancelled or diverted as of the last update:
- Emirates: Dubai to Delhi (EK510, EK512)
- Lufthansa: Frankfurt to Delhi (LH760)
- Air India: Tel Aviv to Delhi (AI140)
- British Airways: London Heathrow to Delhi (BA143)
- Qatar Airways: Doha to Delhi (QR578)
- Turkish Airlines: Istanbul to Delhi (TK716)
- El Al: Tel Aviv to Delhi (LY71)
Notably, Indian airlines like Air India and IndiGo, which have codeshare agreements with foreign carriers, also experienced cascading delays and rescheduling challenges.
For many passengers, the cancellations led to chaotic scenes at airports across Europe and the Middle East. Families, business travelers, and students reported being stranded for hours, with minimal updates from airlines.
One passenger, Amrita Desai, a marketing executive flying from Frankfurt to Delhi, shared:
“We were already at the gate when the announcement was made that our flight had been cancelled. No reason was given initially. It was only later that we heard about the tensions between Israel and Iran. It’s deeply frustrating, especially because there were no clear instructions about refunds or rebooking.”
Some stranded passengers were offered hotel accommodation or vouchers, while others had to make last-minute bookings at exorbitant prices, or were rerouted through multiple cities, extending their journey times by over 20 hours.
Aviation experts warn that the Middle East air corridor, which connects Asia to Europe, is now under strain, as airlines avoid volatile airspace. According to global aviation tracking firm FlightRadar24, there has been a 40% increase in re-routed traffic around Iran and Israel in the past 72 hours.
Captain Rakesh Mahajan, a senior pilot and aviation safety analyst, explained:
“Commercial aircraft usually follow designated international flight paths that pass over the Persian Gulf and parts of Iran. However, with military activity intensifying, there’s a real threat to civilian planes. In 2020, a Ukrainian passenger jet was tragically shot down over Iran, and that precedent still haunts the aviation community.”
India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has reportedly advised airlines to review safety protocols and avoid sensitive airspace routes until further notice.
With India being a major transit and destination hub for international travelers, especially those traveling to Southeast Asia or Australia via the Middle East and Europe, the cancellations pose serious logistical and economic concerns.
Airlines are expected to bear heavy losses due to:
- Refunds for cancelled tickets
- Increased fuel costs due to longer re-routed flights
- Additional crew hours
- Rescheduling complexities
- Compensations for passenger grievances
The tourism and business sectors are also likely to feel the pinch, particularly with summer travel season approaching.
India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, along with the Ministry of External Affairs, is closely monitoring the situation. While there has been no official travel advisory issued yet, sources suggest that diplomatic channels are active in both Tel Aviv and Tehran.
An official from the Ministry said:
“We are keeping tabs on any developments that may affect Indian citizens abroad. Evacuation or emergency coordination plans are in place if required.”
This comes days after the Indian government successfully facilitated the safe return of over 300 Indian nationals from Israel amid missile exchanges and drone threats.
For those planning to travel to or from Delhi, or connect via Middle Eastern or European hubs, the following guidelines are advised:
- Check Flight Status: Monitor the status on airline websites or flight-tracking apps.
- Avoid Last-Minute Bookings: Prices are volatile; book only after confirmation of flight routes.
- Travel Insurance: Ensure policies cover geopolitical disruptions.
- Consider Alternate Routes: Airlines like Singapore Airlines or Cathay Pacific may offer more stable alternatives that avoid the Middle East entirely.
- Stay Updated: Follow updates from the DGCA, Indian embassies, and MEA advisories.
The duration of these cancellations depends on how long the Israel-Iran tensions persist. While reports suggest that both countries have agreed to a temporary ceasefire, the situation remains volatile, with analysts warning of further retaliations.
Unless the security situation improves, it is likely that more flights will be impacted in the coming days. Airlines are expected to revise flight schedules throughout the week.
