Following joint US-Israel strikes on Iran, significant travel disruptions have emerged as numerous airlines have suspended or rerouted flights. Airspace closures across the Middle East, including Iran and Iraq, have forced carriers to alter routes, leading to delays, cancellations, and diversions for flights connecting Europe, the UK, North America, and the Middle East.
Iran and Iraq were among the first to close their airspace in response to the escalating conflict. This immediate action prompted airlines like Air India and Qatar Airways to suspend services to and from the region. Air India, in particular, cancelled 28 flights scheduled for March 1st, affecting routes to major European cities, the US, and Canada. The airline also confirmed that its Delhi-Tel Aviv flight was forced to return to Mumbai due to the closure of Israeli airspace.
IndiGo also issued a travel advisory, stating that its operations across select international sectors were impacted due to evolving airspace restrictions around Iran and the UAE. The airline is closely monitoring the situation and recalibrating operations to minimize disruption.
With large swathes of airspace becoming no-go zones, airlines are implementing longer and more complex routes. Flights between India and North America may now require additional fueling stops in European cities like Vienna or Rome. Air India is exploring alternative routing options, including a request to use a waypoint in northwestern China to potentially bypass Pakistani airspace for flights to Europe, the UK, and North America, though clearance is pending.
Major international carriers have also been affected. Virgin Atlantic grounded a flight to Dubai as a precautionary measure and is temporarily avoiding Iraqi airspace. Wizz Air has suspended all flights to and from Israel, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Amman until March 7th. Several other airlines, including Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, Air France, KLM, Aegean Airlines, and Flydubai, have grounded operations to and from Tel Aviv. An overnight British Airways flight from London Heathrow to Doha was also turned back mid-journey.