Indian Airlines Suspend Middle East Flights Amid Airspace Closures Following Israel-Iran Conflict

Following coordinated US and Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, multiple Middle Eastern countries, including Israel, Iran, UAE, and others, closed their airspace, leading to widespread disruptions in international air travel. Indian carriers Air India, IndiGo, and others suspended or diverted flights to the region, with Air India's Delhi-Tel Aviv flight returning mid-air. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) advised airlines to avoid 11 affected airspaces until March 2. Thousands of passengers were stranded across Indian airports, prompting government advisories and operational reviews to ensure safety and manage cancellations, with over 400 flights cancelled on March 1 alone.