Indian carriers cancelled several Gulf flights after heightened tensions in the Middle East led to sudden airspace closures. The aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation advised airlines to temporarily avoid 11 affected airspaces to ensure passenger safety.
Airlines including Air India, IndiGo and Air India Express cancelled multiple services to the region. Several flights were diverted mid-air, while some remained airborne longer as operators searched for alternate routes.
Air India’s Delhi–Tel Aviv service was forced to return and landed in Mumbai due to the evolving situation. Flight tracking platforms showed heavy congestion across nearby airspaces as rerouting efforts intensified.
Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu chaired a high-level review meeting with airlines and airport operators to assess passenger handling, operational readiness and safety measures.
The disruptions have impacted thousands of travellers, with airlines issuing advisories and working on rescheduling and refunds as the geopolitical situation continues to affect regional air connectivity.