Iran- Israel Tensions Disrupt Air Travel: 400+ International Flights Cancelled Across India on March 1

Escalating tensions between Iran and Israel have triggered major disruptions in international air travel, with over 400 flights likely cancelled across India on March 1st. As of noon, the Ministry of Civil Aviation indicated that around 450 international departures and arrivals were affected due to airspace closures across parts of the Middle East.

Officials said there were no major changes compared to the morning assessment, but the situation remains fluid. Airlines are rerouting flights where possible, while several services have been suspended entirely over safety concerns. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is closely monitoring developments to ensure airlines adhere to safety protocols and provide necessary passenger assistance.

With fears of further escalation and possible retaliatory strikes in the region, carriers are avoiding sensitive airspace zones, leading to large-scale cancellations.

Air India Announces Additional Long-Haul Cancellations

Air India confirmed further curtailment of its international operations, stating that "close monitoring and careful assessment of the evolving situation in the Middle East have necessitated further curtailment of our scheduled operations, with the safety and security of our customers and crew remaining our highest priority."

In addition to previously announced suspensions, the following services scheduled for March 1 have been cancelled:

AI131 / AI130: Mumbai-London (Heathrow) / London-Mumbai
AI113 / AI118: Delhi-Birmingham / Birmingham-Delhi
AI155 / AI156: Delhi-Amsterdam / Amsterdam-Delhi
AI151 / AI152: Delhi-Zurich / Zurich-Delhi
AI137 / AI138: Delhi-Milan / Milan-Delhi
AI153 / AI154: Delhi-Vienna / Vienna-Delhi
AI133 / AI132: Bengaluru-London (Heathrow) / London-Bengaluru
AI157 / AI158: Delhi-Copenhagen / Copenhagen-Delhi
AI2017 / AI2018 and AI2015 / AI2016: Delhi-London (Heathrow) / London-Delhi
AI2029 / AI2030: Delhi-Frankfurt / Frankfurt-Delhi

Additionally, all Air India flights to the Middle East remain suspended until 23:59 IST on March 1.

The airline said affected passengers are being informed through registered contact numbers and are eligible for free rebooking, full refunds, or alternative travel arrangements. Travellers have been advised to check flight status on the Air India website or contact the airline's 24×7 call centre for assistance.

IndiGo and Air India Express Also Suspend Services

IndiGo has announced additional cancellations on Gulf and select European routes for March 1 and 2. The airline has issued advisories urging passengers to check flight status before heading to the airport. Customers whose flights are impacted are being offered alternate options or full refunds.

Air India Express suspended its Gulf operations until 23:59 hrs on March 1st. Passengers scheduled to travel until March 5 are eligible for a free date change or cancellation, though fare differences may apply.

Government Monitoring and Passenger Support

According to officials, more than 100 passenger grievances were resolved through the AirSewa portal on Friday. The Passenger Advisory and Complaint Redressal (PACR) system continues to track complaints in real time.

Senior officials have been deployed at major airports to manage crowds, assist passengers, and handle flight diversions. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is reviewing developments on an hourly basis.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has advised Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to West Asia until the security situation stabilises.

What Passengers Should Do

Travellers are advised to:

• Check airline websites and mobile apps for live updates
• Track flights via real-time platforms such as Flightradar24
• Stay in contact with the airline customer support
• Arrive early at airports and follow official announcements