NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The attack slammed shut large swathes of Middle East airspace Saturday, paralysing the world’s busiest east-west flight corridor, closing Dubai, cancelling hundreds of flights and forcing Indian airlines to halt operations to the region as regulators warned of grave risks to civil aviation.Airspaces from UAE to Israel were closed, grounding hubs that funnel one-stop traffic between India and the West. Indian carriers cancelled all flights to the region through March 2. Tens of thousands of passengers were left stranded at airports, including Dubai, as schedules collapsed. On Cam: Kuwait Airport ‘DESTROYED’ In Huge Iran Drone Attack, Several Casualties As War Explodes Cirium data showed nearly 900 Middle East airline flights cancelled Saturday, led by Emirates group, Qatar Airways and Etihad. Israel attacks IranIsrael Attack Iran Live Updates: Missiles strike US navy headquarters in Bahrain; explosions heard in Abu Dhabi, DohaUS, Israel attack Iran: AI Tel Aviv flight returning to IndiaIran attacks US military bases across Middle East in operation ‘Truthful Promise 4’Aircraft and crews from Indian carriers were stuck across the region. Air India worked to extract staff from Tel Aviv.The impact rippled to India’s gateways. Fifty-seven flights were cancelled at Mumbai airport by 5.45pm Saturday – 24 arrivals and 33 departures – including an IndiGo Mumbai-London service. Fares surged. A one-way direct ticket to London touched Rs 1.4 lakh for March 1 travel.Airline suspensions widened through the day. Air India cancelled several long-haul flights scheduled for Sunday, including services from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar to London, New York, Newark, Chicago, Toronto, Frankfurt and Paris. The airline said passengers are being informed and offered alternative travel options to reduce disruption.IndiGo said operations to and from West Asia and select international sectors were suspended through March 1. Emirates said it had temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai.Airlines warned pilots of intensified GPS spoofing and jamming near conflict zones. For Indian carriers, airspace west of Pakistan to Iraq became off-limits. IndiGo’s CIS routes were also hit. Air India sought clearance to use China’s Hotan waypoint to bypass Pakistani airspace, a request still pending.Operational stress mounted. AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv turned back after Israeli airspace closed. An AI Chicago-Delhi flight rerouted away from Iraq. Major airports were put on alert for diversions and unscheduled landings, though capacity quickly tightened. Mumbai stopped accepting more diversions after parking bays filled.End of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos‘Canada Aims To Sign Trade Deal With India By The End Of This Year’: Mark Carney In Mumbai’Moral Cowardice’: PM Modi’s Israel Visit Faces Oppn Heat As US-Israel Launch Strikes On Iran’Urge All Sides To…’: India Calls For Dialogue And De Escalation As US And Israel Attack Iran‘Historic’: US Envoy Gor Hails Micron’s Chip Plant Launch In Guj, Cites Modi-Trump FriendshipAfghanistan War, Iran Conflict Push Pakistan Into Two Front Security Challenge Amid Regional TensionHarvard University Responds After Sanskrit Course Image Sparks Criticism‘Target Religious Minorities’:UNHRC Side Event Flags Blasphemy Law Abuse In Pakistan And Bangladesh’Muslim League-Maoist Congress’: PM Modi Hits Out Over ‘Shirtless’ Protest At AI SummitIsrael-Iran War: AirIndia, IndiGo, Global Carriers Suspend Flights Amid West Asia Airspace ClosuresMunir’s Gamble Or US Script? As Trump Praises Pakistan, Is Islamabad Replaying Old Afghan Playbook?123PhotostoriesBaby names inspired by Lord ShivaHow to prevent weeds from invading your balcony garden5 essential property documents every homebuyer must verifyWhy many Indian women don’t meet daily protein requirements: Doctor explains how to fix it naturallyFrom Rashmika’s vintage gold to Nayanthara’s custom red: 5 South Indian celebrity weddings that broke the internet with their style5 Powerful Surya mantras to chant every morningMini workouts: Can 5 minutes a day build real fitness?Chef Sanjeev Kapoor’s comfort recipes from his home kitchen that you can’t missHoli 2026: Forgotten Holi drinks that disappeared over time5 luxury electric cars offering performance, prestige and sustainable innovation123Hot PicksIsrael attack IranWest Bengal SIRGold rate todayDubai airportIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays March 2026Bank Holidays MarchTop TrendingIsrael Iran ConflictUS Israel Strike IranPakistna vs Sri Lanka ScorecardLucknow businessman murderRinku SinghIndian Wells Open 2026Crude OilQatar AirwaysMaxx Crosby InjuryNHL Trade
NEW DELHI/MUMBAI: The attack slammed shut large swathes of Middle East airspace Saturday, paralysing the world’s busiest east-west flight corridor, closing Dubai, cancelling hundreds of flights and forcing Indian airlines to halt operations to the region as regulators warned of grave risks to civil aviation.Airspaces from UAE to Israel were closed, grounding hubs that funnel one-stop traffic between India and the West. Indian carriers cancelled all flights to the region through March 2. Tens of thousands of passengers were left stranded at airports, including Dubai, as schedules collapsed.
Cirium data showed nearly 900 Middle East airline flights cancelled Saturday, led by Emirates group, Qatar Airways and Etihad. Aircraft and crews from Indian carriers were stuck across the region. Air India worked to extract staff from Tel Aviv.The impact rippled to India’s gateways. Fifty-seven flights were cancelled at Mumbai airport by 5.45pm Saturday – 24 arrivals and 33 departures – including an IndiGo Mumbai-London service. Fares surged. A one-way direct ticket to London touched Rs 1.4 lakh for March 1 travel.Airline suspensions widened through the day. Air India cancelled several long-haul flights scheduled for Sunday, including services from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar to London, New York, Newark, Chicago, Toronto, Frankfurt and Paris. The airline said passengers are being informed and offered alternative travel options to reduce disruption.IndiGo said operations to and from West Asia and select international sectors were suspended through March 1. Emirates said it had temporarily suspended operations to and from Dubai.Airlines warned pilots of intensified GPS spoofing and jamming near conflict zones. For Indian carriers, airspace west of Pakistan to Iraq became off-limits. IndiGo’s CIS routes were also hit. Air India sought clearance to use China’s Hotan waypoint to bypass Pakistani airspace, a request still pending.Operational stress mounted. AI139 from Delhi to Tel Aviv turned back after Israeli airspace closed. An AI Chicago-Delhi flight rerouted away from Iraq. Major airports were put on alert for diversions and unscheduled landings, though capacity quickly tightened. Mumbai stopped accepting more diversions after parking bays filled.