Middle East Aviation in Turmoil: Over 27,000 Flights Cancelled Amid Escalating Conflict
The aviation industry across the Middle East and Gulf region is facing unprecedented disruption as airlines cancel thousands of flights due to the escalating West Asia conflict. This crisis has forced carriers worldwide to suspend routes, reroute aircraft, and revise schedules, leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded and scrambling for alternatives.
Massive Flight Cancellations and Global Ripple Effects
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium Ltd, as cited by Bloomberg, more than 27,000 flights to major Middle East hubs have been cancelled since the fighting intensified. This represents over half of the 51,600 flights scheduled to operate to or from the region since late February, creating widespread chaos across global aviation networks. Thousands of travellers remain stranded across the Gulf, with many forced to take longer and more expensive routes to reach operational airports in countries like Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Airlines Worldwide Adjust Operations
Airlines around the globe have suspended or modified services to the Middle East as airspace restrictions and security concerns mount. Air India has introduced additional flights to manage rising demand and offset the loss of services by Middle East carriers. Between March 5 and 11, the airline is operating three extra flights between Delhi and Toronto, along with three additional flights between Delhi and Frankfurt from March 7 to 10, and one extra Delhi–Paris service. Some flights from Delhi and Mumbai are being operated via Jeddah as airlines adjust routes around restricted airspace.
Several international airlines have paused flights to key destinations:
- Air France has suspended flights to Dubai and Riyadh until March 6 and services to Tel Aviv and Beirut until March 8.
- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines has cancelled its remaining winter season flights to Tel Aviv and halted services to Dammam, Riyadh, and Dubai until March 6.
- British Airways has suspended flights to Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, and Tel Aviv, while adding extra flights between London and Muscat.
- Cathay Pacific has cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh until March 14.
- Delta Air Lines has suspended its New York–Tel Aviv route until at least March 22.
- Korean Air has paused flights to Dubai until March 8.
- Singapore Airlines has cancelled services to and from Dubai until March 15.
Limited Resumption by Gulf Carriers
Despite the widespread disruptions, some Gulf carriers have begun restoring limited services as certain airspace restrictions ease. Etihad Airways resumed a restricted commercial flight schedule from Abu Dhabi on March 6, operating selected international routes until March 19. This temporary schedule connects Abu Dhabi with destinations across Asia, Europe, and North America, including cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, London, Paris, Frankfurt, New York, Toronto, and Bangkok.
Dubai-based Emirates has cancelled more than 2,000 flights since the crisis began but has started operating a reduced schedule following the partial reopening of regional airspace. Flydubai has also resumed limited operations across its network. Amid the disruption, Oman has emerged as a critical transit point, with airports in Muscat, Salalah, and Sohar remaining operational, allowing airlines to reroute services and manage capacity.
Impact on Indian Aviation
The disruption in Middle East air travel has significantly affected Indian aviation operations. The Civil Aviation Ministry reported that 281 flights scheduled to operate on Thursday by Indian domestic carriers were cancelled as airlines adjusted schedules due to the evolving situation in West Asia.
Indian airlines have launched additional services to help manage passenger movement:
- IndiGo has started flights to Athens, Muscat, and Saudi Arabia’s Jeddah and Madinah, and is operating repatriation flights to the UAE.
- SpiceJet has scheduled around 20 special flights from the United Arab Emirates to India between March 5 and 7, including services between Fujairah and Mumbai and Delhi, along with a Dubai–Mumbai flight.
Root Causes and Future Outlook
The aviation crisis follows escalating tensions in West Asia after a joint US-Israel military strike on Iranian territory resulted in significant casualties, including senior figures. Iran responded with waves of drone and missile attacks across multiple Arab countries, pushing the conflict into its seventh day and forcing airlines to reconsider routes and suspend flights across the Middle East.
As the situation continues to evolve, airlines are gradually restoring limited services while monitoring security conditions and regional airspace restrictions. However, disruptions to Middle East air travel are expected to persist in the coming days, with ongoing adjustments likely as the geopolitical landscape remains volatile.
