Flight cancellations & Iran war highlights: Air India, IndiGo to resume some flights to Middle East as restrictions ease

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: Updates to this blog has now ended.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: Airlines around the globe are suspending more flights to additional destinations across the Middle East as the scope of the war expands during its fourth day.

The disruptions since Iran’s first retaliatory strike are spreading across the region, leading to more than 12,300 flights being canceled, including at major transfer hubs such as Dubai and Doha, according to Flightradar24.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: IndiGo said it was progressively reinstating select flights to Saudi Arabia, Greece and Oman. In a statement, the carrier said it would resume operations in line with prevailing airspace conditions to Athens, Muscat, Jeddah, and Madinah.

“We are progressively reinstating select flights as part of a carefully planned restoration of our schedule, with safety as our highest priority and close consideration of the evolving situation. Operations are being resumed in line with prevailing airspace conditions, with all necessary approvals already in place. If you are scheduled to travel, we kindly request that you wait for confirmation from us before proceeding to the airport. Details of the routes being progressively restored, based on evolving airspace conditions, are as follows: Athens, Muscat, Jeddah, Madinah,” the airline said.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: A passenger, who arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport from Dubai, told news agency ANI, “The UAE government was very helpful. We felt very safe in Dubai. They looked after us in every way to make us feel safe… Everything was very well looked after. The defence system in Dubai was unbelievable, and that is why we felt very safe. Life was normal in Dubai. The government did everything to make us feel safe…”

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: A Delhi consumer forum has directed Malaysia Airlines to refund ₹65,802 along with interest to a city resident whose relatives’ travel plans were disrupted following cancellation of tickets during the Covid pandemic.

The Delhi District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission also imposed costs on MakeMyTrip for deficient service and for giving false assurances regarding refund and rescheduling of tickets.

The commission, presided over by president Monika A Shrivastava with member Kiran Kaushal, was hearing a complaint filed by Karan Pradeep against MakeMyTrip and Malaysia Airlines over cancellation of tickets booked in October 2019 for travel between to Kuala Lumpur and Manila from Delhi in March 2020. (PTI)

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: Low-cost airline Norwegian said Tuesday it was extending its suspension of flights to and from Dubai until March 10 because of the war in the Middle East.

On Saturday, the day the United States and Israel launched strikes on Iran, the airline had initially announced it was cancelling flights in and out of the key United Arab Emirates hub until March 4.

Dubai International Airport was among the sites hit as Iran launched strikes around the Gulf region in response to the US-Israeli campaign.

The war has caused havoc for air travel in the Middle East and beyond, leaving routes closed, airports damaged and hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded. (AFP)

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: A passenger, Sneha, who arrived at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport from Dubai, told news agency ANI, “The situation is quite safe there, the Emirates provided a safe stay. 2 days ago we could hear the bombings, interception of missiles… The UAE government is doing a good job there, we felt safe… I was following the social media accounts of the Indian Embassies, they did provide helpline numbers and we were in contact…”

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: Several westbound international flights from Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport were delayed on Tuesday amid escalating tensions in West Asia, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said.

In a passenger advisory, DIAL noted that the prevailing political situation in the Middle East had resulted in delays and schedule adjustments for certain westbound international services.

Passengers were urged to check the latest flight status with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport and to consider alternate routes or connections if advised. The operator added that all other flights are operating as per schedule.

As of today, 36 departures and 44 arrivals have been cancelled at Delhi airport.

In Bengaluru, 44 flights have been cancelled so far due to the disruption.

At Kolkata airport, at least 10 international flights were cancelled on Tuesday as tensions escalated in West Asia. Airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia suspended their services connecting Kolkata with destinations in the region, citing the evolving security situation.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: Indian carriers on Tuesday began restoring limited commercial services to parts of the Middle East, aiming to bring home thousands of passengers stranded amid the ongoing conflict.

With millions of South Asian expatriates living and working across the region, airlines said they were gradually restarting operations while monitoring the security situation.

IndiGo announced that it would operate four return flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to progressively normalise services between the two countries.

Air India Express said it had resumed flights to and from Muscat, the capital of Oman, from Tuesday.

However, services to and from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remain suspended until further notice, the airlines said.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: A total of five Indian-operated aircraft remain grounded across Gulf airports. Air India and SpiceJet have no aircraft currently stuck in the region. Air India Express has three planes held in Doha, Bahrain and Abu Dhabi, while Akasa Air has one aircraft in Abu Dhabi. IndiGo has one cargo aircraft stranded in Dubai, according to sources.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: Norwegian Air confirmed it has no flights operating to Larnaca today. The airline said a determination on when the next departure will take place is expected within the coming days.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde has arranged two special aircraft to bring back 164 citizens of the state stranded in the United Arab Emirates amid the ongoing US–Israel–Iran conflict, his office said on Tuesday, ANI reported

According to a statement, the state government has also launched an emergency WhatsApp helpline to assist hundreds of Maharashtra residents stuck in the Middle East.

The two flights are scheduled to depart from Fujairah Airport at 3.30 pm and 4.30 pm, and are expected to arrive in Mumbai later in the evening.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: Passengers were stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Tuesday after several flights were cancelled due to the ongoing US-Iran conflict.

The disruptions came amid evolving airspace restrictions over Iran and parts of the Middle East. In response, the Ministry of Civil Aviation has set up a 24×7 Passenger Assistance Control Room to monitor the situation and review preparedness as the crisis unfolds.

IndiGo flight Cancellations LIVE updates: “IndiGo has planned 10 special relief operations from Jeddah to India on 3 March, 2026 to facilitate the return of stranded passengers, subject to required approvals and prevailing airspace conditions. IndiGo is coordinating with the Consulate General of India at Jeddah for passenger facilitation,” the Indian government said in a statement.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: “Back home in Bangalore and safe 🙏

The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I’m truly grateful to be back to my house. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport staff, immigration, and every single person who stepped up and took such good care of us during a very difficult time. The empathy and professionalism meant more than words can say.

For now, it’s time to rest, reset, and figure out the next steps,” PV Sindhu shared on X.

Flight Cancellations LIVE updates: Air India on Tuesday welcomed back 149 stranded passengers from Dubai on flight AI916D, which landed at Delhi Airport at 10:58 am IST. The aircraft, registered as VT-EDC, marked the first Indian-operated flight to bring passengers home amid the ongoing situation in the Middle East.

Earlier in the day, 143 cockpit and cabin crew members of Air India and Air India Express who had been stranded in Dubai also returned safely to Delhi on flight AI918D.

Flight Cancellations & Iran War LIVE updates: Indian carriers on Tuesday began restoring limited commercial services to parts of the Middle East, aiming to bring home thousands of passengers stranded amid the ongoing conflict.

With millions of South Asian expatriates living and working across the region, airlines said they were gradually restarting operations while monitoring the security situation.

IndiGo announced that it would operate four return flights to Jeddah in Saudi Arabia as part of efforts to progressively normalise services between the two countries.

Air India Express said it had resumed flights to and from Muscat, the capital of Oman, from Tuesday.

However, services to and from Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates remain suspended until further notice, the airlines said.

Flight Cancellations & Iran War LIVE updates: Indian passengers stranded in the UAE arrived at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, bringing to an end days of uncertainty and heightened tension, PTI reported.

Many travellers recalled the anxiety triggered by missile alerts and sudden flight cancellations in Abu Dhabi, saying the situation had left them worried about their return. Relief was evident as they landed in Bengaluru on Monday night.

Passengers expressed gratitude to Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi government and the Indian government for facilitating their safe return and for arranging accommodation and transport during the disruption.

Flight Cancellations & Iran War LIVE updates: SpiceJet on Tuesday announced that it will operate four special flights on March 3 from the UAE to bring stranded Indian passengers home, and will restore its scheduled services on the Fujairah–Delhi and Fujairah–Mumbai routes starting March 4.

The airline will operate special services connecting Fujairah with Delhi, Mumbai (two flights) and Kochi on March 3, with additional flights planned over the next few days depending on demand and operational clearances.

SpiceJet also confirmed that its regular flights between Fujairah and Delhi, as well as Fujairah and Mumbai, will resume from March 4.

“At a time like this, our priority is to support Indian citizens who are facing uncertainty and want to return home,” said Ajay Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, SpiceJet. “We are grateful to the authorities for their coordination, which has made these special flights possible. SpiceJet stands ready to operate more such services, wherever required, to assist our people.”

Flight Cancellations & Iran War LIVE updates: A total of 42 flights were cancelled at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) due to ongoing airspace restrictions on March 3, 2026, until 3 pm.

This includes 21 arrivals and 21 departures. The disruptions have primarily affected key West Asian sectors such as Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai and Doha, impacting both inbound and outbound travel from the airport.

Flight Cancellations & Iran War LIVE updates: A total of 36 departures and 44 arrivals have been cancelled at Delhi airport so far today.

In Bengaluru, 44 flights have been cancelled as of now.