Hundreds of Flights Cancelled as Middle East Airspace Curbs Disrupt Indian Aviation

New Delhi, March 2026 : Widespread airspace closures over Iran and parts of the Middle East have triggered major disruption to air travel, with as many as 444 flights expected to be cancelled on March 1, according to India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

The impact of the restrictions was already evident a day earlier, when 410 flights operated by domestic carriers were cancelled on February 28 due to route constraints and safety considerations linked to the evolving security situation in the region.

In a post on X, the DGCA said that major airports across the country remain on heightened operational alert to manage potential flight diversions and to ensure that passenger inconvenience is minimised. The regulator emphasised that airport authorities and airlines are working closely to maintain order and provide timely assistance to travellers affected by cancellations and delays.

“Passenger assistance, airline coordination, and terminal crowd management are being closely monitored, with senior officials deployed on the ground,” the DGCA said, underlining the scale of preparedness being maintained at key aviation hubs.

The regulator also noted that the Ministry’s Passenger Assistance Control Room (PACR) is actively monitoring passenger grievances and facilitating prompt redressal. On February 28 alone, AirSewa — the government’s air travel grievance redressal platform — recorded 216 complaints from passengers impacted by the disruptions. Of these, 105 grievances were resolved within the same period, the DGCA said, ensuring that affected travellers received necessary support.

The aviation watchdog added that it is maintaining close coordination with airlines to ensure full compliance with all safety, security and operational regulations. Airlines have been advised to keep passengers informed through timely updates and to follow established protocols while managing cancellations, diversions or rescheduling.

“All stakeholders are working in coordination to ensure orderly handling of affected passengers and timely assistance to all concerned travellers,” the DGCA said, stressing that passenger safety and facilitation remain top priorities.

Earlier, the Ministry of Civil Aviation directed all Indian airlines operating international services to continuously monitor airspace advisories, Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), and route restrictions issued by relevant authorities. The advisory came in the wake of the large-scale military operation launched by the United States and Israel against Iran, which has led several countries in the region to restrict or close their airspace.

“Following the airspace restrictions imposed in the Middle East, airlines have been directed to ensure timely rerouting or diversion of flights, wherever required, strictly in accordance with global safety protocols and established contingency planning procedures,” the ministry said in a statement.

Reiterating that passenger and crew safety is paramount, the ministry said it is closely monitoring the situation to ensure safe, orderly and efficient air operations. “The situation is under constant watch. Further updates will follow as necessary,” it added.

Meanwhile, the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and private airport operators have been advised to enhance coordination with airlines on ground handling arrangements, aircraft parking bays, passenger amenities, crew logistics and immigration support. These measures, officials said, are aimed at managing congestion and ensuring smooth airport operations amid continuing uncertainty over regional airspace restrictions.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)