Amid escalating conflict in the Middle East, Indian airlines are adjusting their operations to maintain crucial westbound connectivity. On March 2, 2026, 350 flights operated by Indian domestic carriers were cancelled. However, airlines are opting to reroute flights rather than suspending long-haul operations entirely.
Air India, the sole Indian carrier flying to the US, confirmed that all its North American flights would proceed as scheduled from Monday. Despite cancelling 50 international flights on Sunday, the airline has assured continued service to North America and Europe, albeit with alternative routes, potentially increasing flying times. Flights to New York and Newark will include technical stops at Rome’s Fiumicino Airport.
IndiGo has announced the cancellation of approximately 360 flights until March 3, offering flexibility and waivers for affected passengers. The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is actively coordinating with airlines and airport operators to monitor the situation and provide necessary support.
Airspace closures over Tehran, Kuwait, Israel, and Baghdad have disrupted the northern corridor used for India-Europe overflights, forcing airlines to consider southern deviations or technical stops. The shutdown of the Baghdad Flight Information Region on February 28 has notably impacted Indian carriers, blocking typical routes to Europe.
The financial impact on Indian and international airlines is estimated at Rs. 875 Crores weekly. With Pakistani, Iranian, and UAE airspaces closed, access to Europe and the US is severely restricted. The likelihood of these airspace closures easing within a week remains low, according to industry experts.
The situation is dynamic, with airlines making day-to-day operational decisions. The cascading effects are straining metro airports, with Mumbai declining diversion traffic due to a shortage of aircraft parking stands. Other major airports in Delhi and Bengaluru are also experiencing significant cancellations and diversions.
Published in SouthAsianDesk, March 3rd, 2026
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