Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI) on Sunday announced potential delays and adjustments to westbound international flights due to tensions and airspace closures in the Middle East, news agency ANI reported.
The development comes after several countries in the Middle East closed their airspace after tensions escalated in the region following attacks on Iran by the United States and Israel.
In a travel advisory, IGI Airport advised passengers to keep updated on their flight status before traveling to the airport, adding that they should visit the airport’s official website for real-time updates.
The alert read: “Due to ongoing political developments in the Middle East, international flights bound for the West may face delays or schedule adjustments. Passengers are strongly advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest flight information before traveling to the airport. For real-time updates, please visit our official website: www.newdelhiairport.in.”
Indian airports are canceling flights
A total of 100 flights have been canceled at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport, which includes 60 departures and 40 arrivals, ANI reported citing sources.
A total of 125 flights, including 67 outbound and 58 inbound, have been canceled so far at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
At Tiruchirappalli International Airport, authorities canceled 17 arrivals and 16 departures for March 1, while three arrivals and two departures were canceled for March 2.
Airlines post travel advisories
Air India issued an advisory on Sunday that passengers flying to or from the Middle East would be given full flexibility in their bookings as many passengers were affected by the ongoing airspace disruption.
IndiGo had also earlier announced that it has temporarily suspended some international services operating in the Middle East airspace. The airline said the suspension will remain in effect until March 2, 2026.
Air India Express has canceled more than 110 flights as airspace restrictions remain in place over Iran and parts of the Middle East.
Airlines have suspended operations in the Middle East
Meanwhile, international carriers such as Emirates have temporarily suspended all flights to and from Dubai until 15:00 UAE time on Monday, March 2.
Operations at Doha’s Hamad International Airport continued to be suspended following the closure of Qatari airspace.
Tensions are rising in the Middle East
Tensions in the Middle East region have risen sharply since Saturday after the United States and Israel launched strikes against Iran and targeted its military and naval forces, prompting retaliation from Tehran. Hours after it was attacked, Iran attacked US bases in several Middle Eastern countries, plunging the region into a wider and renewed military confrontation.
On Saturday, explosions were heard in several cities in the Middle East, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Doha and Manama. In Dubai, the artificial island of Palm Jumeirah also reported a fire, while the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest tower, was evacuated minutes after an explosion occurred nearby.
Tensions further escalated after Iran’s state agency announced on Sunday (local time) that the country’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei had been killed in an attack on Saturday, plunging the country into mourning. After his death, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian vowed revenge, calling Khamenei’s killing a “declaration of war against Muslims”.
