US-Iran War: Indian airlines had to cancel as many as 8,359 flights due to airspace restrictions, operational constraints, and reduced demand during the ongoing West Asia war until 29 March, the government told Parliament on 2 April.
Indian carriers are incurring significant revenue losses due to the ongoing war, which has adversely impacted their operations and network planning, the government said.
From the start of the war in February till 29 March 2026, Indian as well as foreign scheduled carriers have brought back 5,59,952 stranded Indian passengers from West Asian countries, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said in the reply in the Lok Sabha.
BJP MP asked the question about the cancelled flights
Etela Rajender, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) Member of Parliament from Telangana’s Malkajgiri Lok Sabha constituency, had sought to know the details of disruptions of airlines to and from the UAE, Dubai and other West Asian countries in view of ongoing US-Iran war, the estimated losses incurred due to such disruptions, the number of flights cancelled as a result thereof, the loss in terms of exports through airlines and the details of the airlines which have brought back passengers from these West Asian countries.
The response to the question was provided by Minister of State in the Ministry of Civil Aviation, Murlidhar Mohol.
“Till 29th March 2026, Indian operators had to cancel 8,359 flights due to airspace restrictions, operational constraints, and reduced demand on account of the ongoing crisis in West Asia,” the minister said in response.
It’s been over a month since the West Asia war began with joint US-Israeli attacks on Iran. Tensions escalated following the killing of Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in the military strikes on 28 February.
In retaliation, Iran targeted Israeli and US assets across several Gulf countries, causing further disruptions to the waterway and impacting international energy markets as well as global economic stability, disrupting trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz.
“As informed by Indian carriers, they are incurring significant revenue losses due to the ongoing crisis, which has adversely impacted their operations and network planning. From the start of the ongoing crisis, till 29th March 2026, Indian as well as foreign scheduled carriers have brought back 5,59,952 stranded Indian passengers from West Asian countries,” the response read.
President Trump’s speech on Iran war
US President Donald Trump said on 1 April that the “core strategic objectives” of the strikes on Iran, which began on 28 February, are nearing completion.
In his first national address since the Iran War began with joint US-Israel strikes, President Trump defended the act, and said he wanted to explain why the ‘Operation Epic Fury’ – the US name for the Iranian military campaign – was “necessary for the safety of America” and the world.
“Tonight I am pleased to say that these core strategic objectives are nearing completion,” Trump said in his much-anticipated address to the nation.
