International air travel from India has been severely affected due to continuing airspace restrictions and security concerns in parts of the Middle East. Airlines have cancelled and delayed hundreds of flights as routes over conflict affected zones remain closed or heavily restricted.
How Many Flights Are Affected
A large number of international services operated by Indian and foreign carriers have been disrupted over the past few days. Airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad and Kochi have reported multiple cancellations, especially on routes passing through Gulf airspace. Several long-haul flights to Europe and North America have also been delayed or rerouted, leading to extended travel times.
Countries Most Affected
Flights from India to and via the following countries have seen the highest number of cancellations and delays:
- United Arab Emirates (Dubai, Abu Dhabi)
- Qatar (Doha)
- Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah)
- Kuwait
- Oman
Flights using Gulf hubs to reach Europe, Africa and North America have also been impacted due to rerouting around closed airspace.
Airlines and Government Response
Indian carriers including Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express and Akasa Air have temporarily suspended or reduced services to several Gulf destinations.
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has activated passenger assistance desks and asked airlines to provide refunds or free rescheduling to affected travellers.
What Travellers Should Do
Passengers are advised to:
- Check flight status directly with airlines before leaving for the airport
- Use airline apps or official messages for schedule updates
- Opt for rebooking or refunds if travel is non-urgent
- Allow extra time for connections due to longer routes
Outlook
With the security situation still evolving, disruptions are expected to continue in the short term. Authorities have urged travellers to remain alert and avoid unnecessary travel through conflict sensitive air corridors until normal flight operations resume.
For now, Indian passengers travelling to or through Gulf countries should prepare for delays, cancellations and route changes as airlines prioritise safety over schedule.
