India Cancels Hundreds Of Flights Amid West Asia Tensions; Air India Adds Extra Services

Indian carriers have cancelled 279 scheduled flights as airspace restrictions linked to the situation in West Asia disrupted operations, the Civil Aviation Ministry said. The restrictions affected several sectors, prompting airlines to scale down services for the day.The ministry said passenger movement figures for 5 March 2026 showed that 40 flights operated by Indian carriers arrived in India from the West Asia region, carrying more than 7,200 passengers. With these arrivals, the cumulative number of passengers reaching the country has crossed 14,900. Authorities added that 51 flights are expected to operate today, depending on operational feasibility and the prevailing situation.Traveller AssistanceTo assist travellers during the disruption, a Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) has been set up and is functioning round the clock in coordination with airlines and other stakeholders. The ministry said over 1,800 passenger grievances have been resolved so far through AirSewa, helplines and social media platforms. Passengers have been advised to keep track of flight updates and follow communications issued by their respective airlines through registered contact details.Aviation Affected By ConflictRising tensions in West Asia, involving the United States, Israel and Iran, have begun to affect aviation activity in the region, with several countries closing or restricting parts of their airspace. The developments have led to widespread disruption in flight schedules, forcing airlines to reroute or cancel services.The Civil Aviation Ministry said 49 flight operations by Indian carriers from West Asia to India were scheduled for the day, though the ongoing situation in the region has led to widespread disruption. In a post on X, the ministry said, "A total of 49 flight operations were scheduled today by Indian domestic carriers from West Asia to India. As on 8 March, 279 flights scheduled to be operated today by Indian domestic carriers have been cancelled."The disruption was also reflected at major airports. An official said 66 flights were called off at Mumbai airport on Sunday, comprising 34 departures and 32 arrivals.In a separate update, Delhi International Airport Ltd (DIAL) said the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East could affect the timings of certain westbound international services, with the possibility of delays or rescheduling. Travellers were advised to check with their airlines for the latest information on their flights.Air India To Ramp Up FlightsAir India and Air India Express will continue operating scheduled services to Jeddah and Muscat on 10 March 2026, as airspace over Saudi Arabia and Oman remains open. The Air India group has suspended flights to several other West Asian destinations until 13 March, reflecting ongoing regional tensions.On X at 10:09 PM on 9 March, the Air India Newsroom (@AirIndia_News) posted: “Air India and Air India Express will together operate 14 flights to and from Jeddah, while Air India Express will be operating 14 flights to and from Muscat on 10 March 2026. The two carriers are also planning to operate a total of 32 additional non-scheduled flights to and from many destinations in the UAE on 10 March 2026, subject to slot availability, regulatory approvals, and the evolving situation. We are closely monitoring developments and will provide further updates as the situation evolves.”In addition, the airline said it will run 78 extra international flights between 10 and 18 March across nine routes to give travellers more options and help ease the disruption caused by cancellations and delays linked to the Middle East situation.(With inputs from various sources.)FAQsHow many flights have been cancelled?279 flights by Indian carriers were cancelled as of 8 March 2026.Which West Asia routes are still operating?Air India and Air India Express will run flights to Jeddah and Muscat on 10 March.Are additional flights planned?Yes, 78 extra international flights across nine routes are scheduled between 10–18 March, plus 32 non-scheduled UAE flights on 10 March.How are airports affected?66 flights were cancelled at Mumbai airport; westbound flights from Delhi may face delays or rescheduling.How can passengers get updates?Check with airlines, Air India Newsroom on X, or the PACR/ AirSewa helplines for real-time information.Gulf Crisis: What’s Happening To Flights Between India And The Middle East Right Now