Delhi, Mumbai airports see 100+ flight cancellations amid Middle East airspace disruptions

At least 100 international flights were cancelled at India’s two busiest airports, Indira Gandhi International Airport and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Saturday as the ongoing crisis in the Middle East continued to impact flight operations, PTI reported.

Officials said dozens of departures and arrivals were cancelled as airlines adjusted schedules due to airspace closures and restrictions across several countries in the region.

According to airport officials, 35 departures and 36 arrivals were cancelled at the Mumbai airport, while 22 departures and 17 arrivals were cancelled at the Delhi airport.

The cancellations mainly affected west-bound international flights that normally pass through Middle Eastern airspace.

Airport authorities said operations may continue to see disruptions as airlines monitor the evolving geopolitical situation and adjust routes or schedules accordingly.

Operator Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said some flights heading west from Delhi may experience delays or changes to their schedules.

In a post on X, DIAL said that due to the current situation in the Middle East, some west-bound international flights may experience delays or schedule changes.

Passengers have been advised to stay updated on flight status before travelling to the airport.

Despite the disruptions, Air India and Air India Express said they will continue operating scheduled flights to Jeddah and Muscat, which have been assessed as safe for operations.

In a post on X, the airline said, “Air India and Air India Express are committed to flying you to your destination and continue to operate scheduled flights to/from Jeddah and Muscat which are assessed safe for operations. Additional non-scheduled flights are planned to operate to and from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al-Khaimah and Sharjah on 8 March, to bring stranded passengers back to India. Due to the dynamic situation in West Asia, flight schedules can change at a short notice. We recommend verifying your flight status at our website before you leave home. We will continue to provide flight updates on your registered numbers as well. Please connect with our 24×7 Contact Centre for more information. Air India’s services to Europe & North America are operating normally through safe alternative routings.”

The airline said passengers should check flight status before leaving for the airport as schedules may change at short notice.

Meanwhile, IndiGo said it will continue operating flights to eight destinations in the Middle East as well as resume flights to Europe on March 8.

In a post on X, the airline said, “As the situation in and around the Middle East continues to evolve, we understand that many customers are still waiting to reach the places and the people that matter most to them. On 8th March 2026, our planned operations are as follows: We are pleased to restart our Europe operations, reconnecting customers with key destinations across the region. ⁠IndiGo will also continue to operate flights to 8 destinations in the Middle East. The details of these operations are provided in the table below. Given the dynamic nature of the situation, flight schedules may change at a short notice. Customers are once again requested to check their flight status before leaving for the airport. We will continue to share updates on our website and social media channels as the situation develops.”

The disruptions follow escalating tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States, which began on February 28.

The conflict has significantly affected aviation across the region, with several Middle Eastern countries closing their airspace temporarily.

As a result, many airlines have cancelled flights, rerouted aircraft, or operated limited services while monitoring safety conditions.

Travellers are being advised to check flight updates with airlines before travelling to the airport as schedules may continue to change depending on developments in the region.