West Asia Aviation in Turmoil: Over 1,600 Flights Cancelled Amid Regional Tensions
Air travel across West Asia continues to face severe disruptions, with regional airlines cancelling approximately 1,600 flights on global routes until Sunday evening. Major carriers including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways have been forced to ground operations as security concerns escalate in the region.
Indian Airlines Ground 350 Flights, Announce Extended Suspensions
According to India's aviation ministry, domestic carriers IndiGo, Air India, and Akasa cancelled 350 flights during the day. Most airlines have announced cancellations extending through Monday, with resumption timelines dependent on safety assessments in conflict-affected airspaces.
Air India has implemented significant operational changes, announcing that flights to North America and Europe will now operate using alternative routes through available West Asian airspaces. This adjustment is expected to increase flying times substantially. Specifically, flights to New York's JFK and Newark Liberty International airports will include technical stops at Rome's Fiumicino Airport.
Route Challenges and Extended Flight Suspensions
The closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian carriers has eliminated the traditional Pakistan-Afghanistan-CIS corridor to the west - a route still utilized by Lufthansa and other Western airlines. This restriction compounds operational challenges for Indian aviation.
Air India cancelled approximately 125 international flights to and from Western destinations on Sunday alone. The Tata-owned carrier has formally extended suspension of flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until 11:59 PM on March 2. Additional cancellations include select European flights scheduled for March 2 and their return legs.
IndiGo has similarly announced "suspension of select international flights that use West Asia airspace until March 2, 2026, 11:59 PM IST." This extended timeline reflects the uncertainty surrounding regional airspace security.
Airlines Prioritize Repatriation of Aircraft and Crew
For most affected airlines, the immediate priority remains retrieving aircraft and crew stranded at foreign airports. Air India successfully completed this task for its wide-body fleet on Sunday and is now exploring alternative routing options through Oman's southern oceanic route, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt for Europe, UK, and North America operations.
Passenger Accommodation and Alternative Travel Options
Abu Dhabi has taken exceptional measures to assist stranded travelers, with its Department of Culture and Tourism directing hotels to extend stays for guests affected by flight cancellations. The DCT circular confirmed that "the cost of the extended stay will be covered by DCT."
Some stranded Indian nationals are considering driving from the UAE to Muscat and flying home from Oman. However, the Indian Embassy in Muscat issued a Sunday advisory clarifying that prior visit or tourist e-visas are required for Oman entry. Exceptions apply for Indians holding valid visas or residence permits from the US, UK, Canada, Japan, or Schengen countries, who may apply for on-arrival visas.
The aviation disruption highlights the broader impact of regional tensions on global travel networks, with airlines implementing creative routing solutions while prioritizing passenger and crew safety above all operational considerations.
