NEW DELHI, 24 June — As tensions escalate in the Middle East, Indian airlines have suspended or diverted dozens of flights, triggering widespread disruption for thousands of passengers and causing significant financial losses for the aviation sector.
Air India, already facing operational challenges, has halted services to the Middle East, Europe, and five key destinations in the United States and Canada. “Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect until further notice,” the airline said in a statement.
Air India Express, which operates to over 15 destinations across the Middle East, confirmed that flights have been temporarily suspended due to “the evolving situation and the closure of certain airspaces in the region.”
IndiGo, India’s largest airline by market share, said Tuesday that it was “presently and progressively resuming operations” as Middle Eastern airports slowly reopen. “We continue to monitor the situation closely and are fully considering the safest available flight paths to ensure secure and seamless travel,” the airline said in a post on X.
The disruption follows reports of multiple Gulf countries closing their airspace in response to missile attacks launched by Iran on a U.S. airbase in Qatar on Monday. Several Indian flights were diverted mid-air, and services across carriers remain affected.
Dubai and Doha—two of the world’s busiest international hubs—serve as crucial transit points for Indian travellers heading to Europe and North America. Their partial shutdown has also affected the global network of carriers such as Qatar Airways, which is now rerouting or cancelling several flights.
Air India said its inbound flights from North America were being diverted back to their points of origin or rerouted via alternate air corridors. “Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins, and others are being rerouted away from the closed airspaces,” the airline noted.
Other Indian carriers have also issued alerts. SpiceJet acknowledged in a post on X that “some of its flights may be affected due to airspace closure in the Middle East.” Akasa Air echoed similar concerns, warning that its operations “to and from the region may be impacted due to the prevailing situation.”
With no immediate resolution in sight, the aviation industry is bracing for the financial fallout. Flight cancellations, diversions, longer routes, and stranded passengers are expected to add pressure to already stretched resources. Aviation analysts estimate that rerouting over long-haul sectors could increase fuel costs and logistical burdens significantly in the days to come.
As the situation unfolds, airlines are continuing to review safety and routing decisions based on airspace advisories, while passengers remain caught in a wave of cancellations and uncertainty.
