Air India, India’s leading global airline, due to the ongoing military conflict in the Middle East, has suspended all flights originating from India and abroad to all airports in the Middle East region. The decision follows a string of military operations by the U.S. and Israel against Iran, followed by missile attacks by Tehran in retaliation.
A pledge to the Highest Standards of Security
An official statement on Saturday evening said the suspension represented a proactive move for passenger and airline staff security, according to an Air India spokesperson. And the government’s own plans for the country are being shaped: “With the developing situation in certain regions of the Middle East, all the Air India flights to every destination in the Middle East have been suspended,” it claimed.
“Never underestimate the importance of us maintaining the highest levels of safety for passengers and crew.” The airline said it was coordinated closely with global aviation safety agencies and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in India on the volatile security environment. Operations will be adjusted “proactively as required” after the safety assessments are conducted.
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) February 28, 2026
In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East have been suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to…
Impact on Indian Travelers
The suspension also struck thousands of passengers traveling between India and some of the biggest Gulf cities, including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Riyadh and Muscat. Air India’s move, among dozens of announcements to the effect from Qatar Airways and other global airlines among the group, is because airspace in Middle Eastern states—and notably in Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Israel—has been closed for civilian traffic. To reduce the impact on stranded passengers, Air India has brought support teams on their doors. “Our teams will assist passengers and support with whatever we can do,” the airline said. That help typically includes:
- Refunds: Complete refunds on cancelled tickets.
- Flexibly ReBooked Flights: A time for passengers to reschedule flights when operations return, without incurring even more penalties.
- Ground Help: Currently assisting passengers inside airports through help desks and digital-based solutions of the service with digital channels of communication.
A Growing "No-Fly" Zone
Aviation analysts say the ongoing conflict marks the greatest test on the air corridor now facing the "India-Middle East" trade route in decades. Given that the Strait of Hormuz and the Persian Gulf have been designated as high risk combat spots, carriers now have to take longer journeys of fuel in Central Asia or Africa to reach its European and North American destinations, and they also have to make fuel-intensive detours through the Middle East and Turkey.
Meanwhile, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs has additionally issued a separate advisory directing Indian nationals to avoid non-essential travel to the region and to keep in constant contact with local embassies as “Operation Epic Fury” and Iran’s “Truthful Promise 4” come to bear.
