Indian airlines cancel 350 flights to West Asia and beyond

Indian airlines cancel 350 flights amid regional conflict, while the UAE offers support for stranded passengers.

Indian airlines cancelled around 350 flights on Sunday (March 1, 2026), with Air India suspending 20 additional long-haul services to European destinations, including London, Zurich, Milan, Frankfurt and Copenhagen.

Iran-Israel conflict LIVE

The cancellations add to the complete suspension of flights by all Indian carriers to 11 countries in West Asia, following air strikes in the region in the wake of the war between Israel-U.S. and Iran and an urgent advisory issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) valid until March 2.

Air India on Sunday (March 1, 2026) announced 20 additional flight cancellations across Europe, taking the total number of its long-haul and ultra-long-haul services, over and above the Gulf flights, scrapped for the day to 48. This includes 28 earlier cancellations affecting routes to the U.S., Canada and Europe.

As air travellers were left stranded at some of the world’s biggest transit airports in the region, the UAE’s aviation regulator, General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) announced that the State would cover all accommodation and sustenance costs for the affected and stranded passengers, ensuring continued provision of essential services as flights remained suspended, according to Khaleej Times.

Authorities in Dubai and Abu Dhabi have instructed hotels to accommodate guests unable to depart due to the disruption.