India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) reported that 350 flights operated by Indian carriers were cancelled on 1 March 2026 after multiple Gulf states closed airspace in response to escalating US–Israel–Iran hostilities. The disruption affected long-haul routes to Europe, North America and East Africa, forcing airlines to detour via the Arabian Sea or temporarily ground wide-body aircraft. Delhi IGI Airport alone scrubbed 100 departures, while Mumbai recorded 125. Air India and IndiGo issued blanket waivers: passengers holding tickets booked on or before 28 February for travel up to 5 March could re-schedule or seek full refunds at no extra cost.
![Middle-East conflict forces cancellation of 350 India-linked flights on 1 March]()
Travellers scrambling to rebook via unfamiliar hubs may discover they suddenly require transit or destination visas for countries not on their original itineraries. VisaHQ can fast-track these documents, provide real-time entry-rule checks and arrange courier submission for India-based passengers heading to Europe, North America or East Africa through new routings—visit https://www.visahq.com/india/ for swift assistance and round-the-clock support.
SpiceJet cancelled 33 UAE rotations and Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways diverted or delayed services. For corporates, the knock-on effects include stranded project teams, missed cargo connections and elevated travel costs as fares on alternative routings surged 40 %. Risk managers should update traveller-tracking dashboards and verify that emergency assistance providers can secure hotel rooms near Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where diversions concentrated. MoCA emphasised that a Passenger Assistance Control Room is coordinating with airlines and airport operators, and that further advisories will follow if the regional security situation deteriorates.
Travellers scrambling to rebook via unfamiliar hubs may discover they suddenly require transit or destination visas for countries not on their original itineraries. VisaHQ can fast-track these documents, provide real-time entry-rule checks and arrange courier submission for India-based passengers heading to Europe, North America or East Africa through new routings—visit https://www.visahq.com/india/ for swift assistance and round-the-clock support.
SpiceJet cancelled 33 UAE rotations and Emirates, Lufthansa and Qatar Airways diverted or delayed services. For corporates, the knock-on effects include stranded project teams, missed cargo connections and elevated travel costs as fares on alternative routings surged 40 %. Risk managers should update traveller-tracking dashboards and verify that emergency assistance providers can secure hotel rooms near Bengaluru and Hyderabad, where diversions concentrated. MoCA emphasised that a Passenger Assistance Control Room is coordinating with airlines and airport operators, and that further advisories will follow if the regional security situation deteriorates.
