NEW DELHI (3 March 2026) — The escalating conflict in the Middle East has caused severe disruptions at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA), with 80 international flights cancelled on Tuesday morning. The cancellations—comprising 36 departures and 44 arrivals—are part of a broader aviation crisis that has seen Indian airlines scrap over 1,117 overseas flights in the last three days alone.
Airspace Restrictions and Operational Chaos
The cancellations are a direct result of the closure of critical air corridors over Iran, Iraq, and parts of the Gulf following coordinated military strikes by the US and Israel on February 28. These closures have forced airlines to either suspend services or undertake long, fuel-heavy detours.
Key operational updates from the Delhi airport on Tuesday include:
- Emirates Resumption Attempts: Emirates partially resumed operations, with flight EK512 from Dubai landing successfully in Delhi. However, flight EK513 (Delhi to Dubai) was forced to return to the national capital mid-flight due to fresh airspace restrictions.
- Westbound Delays: Delhi airport operator DIAL has warned that most westbound international flights to Europe and North America are facing significant delays as they bypass the Gulf.
- IndiGo Relief Flights: To assist stranded passengers, IndiGo has announced 10 special relief flights from Jeddah to India (Mumbai, Hyderabad, and Ahmedabad), subject to safety clearances.
Impact on Indian Carriers
Indian airlines, including Air India and IndiGo, have been hit particularly hard due to their heavy reliance on point-to-point Gulf routes, which account for nearly 50% of India’s international traffic.
| Metric | Detail |
| Total Indian Airline Cancellations (Last 3 Days) | 1,117 Flights |
| Delhi Airport Total Daily Movements | ~1,300 Flights |
| Financial Impact (Estimated) | ~₹500 Crore hit to Indian carrier profits |
| Airspace Avoidance | Avoiding 11 countries (Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, etc.) |
Travel Advisories and Refunds
The Ministry of Civil Aviation has activated the Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) to address grievances. Most major airlines, including Qatar Airways, Etihad, and Akasa Air, are offering:
- Full Refunds: For flights cancelled due to the regional hostilities.
- Waivers: No-charge rescheduling for travel booked on or before February 28 for journeys up to March 7, 2026.
- Visa Assistance: The Indian government is coordinating with missions in Muscat, Nairobi, and Tbilisi to facilitate transit for detoured passengers.
Sources
- Press Trust of India (PTI): “Middle East conflict: 80 international flights cancelled at Delhi airport” (3 March 2026)
- The Telegraph India: “Delhi airport cancels 80 international flights as Gulf airspace faces restriction” (3 March 2026)
- BusinessWorld: “How Middle East Airspace Closures May Hit Indian Airlines The Hardest” (3 March 2026)
- The Guardian: “Thousands of flights cancelled as world faces worst travel chaos since Covid” (2 March 2026)
- DGCA & Ministry of Civil Aviation: Official Emergency Directives (March 1–3, 2026)
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