Indian airlines flight cancellations rise as 279 Middle East services are halted amid conflict

Indian airlines cancelled 279 international flights on Sunday as the Middle East conflict caused airspace closures and restrictions. The Civil Aviation Ministry said it is monitoring operations and airfares to prevent undue price rises. Carriers are expected to operate about 50 flights from the region on Monday, subject to feasibility.

Indian airlines cancelled 279 international flights on Sunday as tensions rose in the Middle East. The Civil Aviation Ministry said it was watching the disruption closely. The conflict, involving the US, Israel and Iran, led to airspace closures and limits. These restrictions affected several routes used by Indian carriers for west-bound travel.

The ministry said airlines were preparing to run 50 flights from the region on Monday. It also said ticket prices were under watch to prevent sharp rises. Officials said the situation in the Gulf had affected operations across multiple sectors. Airlines and airports issued advisories on delays and changes for some services.

Middle East conflict flight cancellations and airport impact

In a post on X, the ministry said: "As on 8 March, 279 flights scheduled to be operated today by Indian domestic carriers have been cancelled.\" It added that 49 flight operations were scheduled on Sunday from West Asia to India. The ministry said these flights depended on operational feasibility, given the restrictions.

The 49 services were planned from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, Fujairah, Muscat and Jeddah. An official said Mumbai airport saw major disruption. A total of 66 flights were cancelled there on Sunday. This included 34 departures and 32 arrivals, the official said.

Delhi airport operator DIAL said some west-bound international flights could face delays or timetable changes. DIAL linked the warning to the geopolitical developments in the Middle East. Airlines and airport teams continued to update passengers as conditions shifted. Operators said schedules could change at short notice due to route limits.

Middle East conflict response and passenger movement data

Passenger movement data for 7th March, 2026 showed 51 inbound flights landed in India from the region. The ministry said these Indian-carrier flights brought 8,175 passengers. The data offered a snapshot of travel demand despite interruptions. Officials said they were using such figures to track pressure points across routes.

The ministry said it stayed in regular contact with airlines and other stakeholders. It also said it was checking fares to keep prices reasonable. Officials said the aim was to avoid any undue spike during the disruption. The ministry added that monitoring would continue as long as uncertainty persisted.

Middle East conflict schedule for Monday and added Air India flights

On Monday, Air India and Air India Express will run 10 flights to and from Jeddah. Air India Express will also operate 14 flights to and from Muscat. Air India said both airlines will operate 32 ad-hoc non-scheduled flights to the UAE. These flights will support stranded travellers, subject to slot availability.

Air India also said it will operate 78 additional flights on nine international routes. The extra services will run from March 10 to 18. The airline said the step aims to offer more travel options during the Middle East conflict disruption. Airlines said further changes may depend on airspace access and airport conditions.

With inputs from PTI