Flight Cancellations Today News Live Updates: Highlights

(Reported by Vivek/TNN)

As tensions escalate between Iran and Israel, Chennai International Airport witnessed significant disruption to its international operations on Tuesday, with at least 30 inbound and outbound flights cancelled over a 24-hour period.

According to official airport data on March 3, 15 arrivals and 15 departures to and from key hubs, including Kuwait (KWI), Dubai (DXB), Doha (DOH), and Abu Dhabi (AUH), were cancelled due to the ongoing geopolitical conflict.

Most of the affected services were operated using Airbus A320, A321neo, and Boeing 787 aircraft. The sector sees heavy passenger traffic from migrant workers, business travellers, and families.

Airport sources confirmed that the disruptions were directly linked to airspace restrictions, precautionary rerouting measures, and operational uncertainties arising from the conflict.

(Reported by news agency PTI)

SpiceJet on Tuesday said it will operate four special flights from Fujairah in the UAE to bring back stranded passengers.
Flight operations have been disrupted due to the close of airspaces in the Middle East amid the escalating conflict involving US, Israel and Iran.

In a statement, SpiceJet said it would operate four special flights to connect Fujairah with Delhi, Mumbai and Kochi on Tuesday and for the next few days.

Out of them, two flights would be operated to Mumbai.

The airline is also exploring the possibility of operating more special flights, subject to passenger requirements and regulatory approvals.

SpiceJet will restore its scheduled Fujairah-Delhi and Fujairah-Mumbai flights from March 4, the statement said

(Reported by news agency ANI)

Several westbound international flights from the IGI Airport were delayed amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL) said on Tuesday.

The Delhi Airport officials have urged the passengers to check the latest flight updates and consider alternate routes for travelling.

DIAL wrote in a passenger advisory, "Due to the ongoing political situation in the Middle East, several westbound international flights are causing delays or schedule adjustments. Passengers are advised to check the latest flight updates with their respective airlines before travelling to the airport. If required, please consider alternate routes or connections as suggested by your airline."

"We appreciate your understanding and cooperation. All other flight operations are currently operating as per schedule," the advisory read.

Airspace in several West Asian nations remains closed against the backdrop of coordinated US and Israeli airstrikes across multiple Iranian cities on February 28, targeting military command centres, air-defence systems, missile sites, and key regime infrastructure.

(Reported by news agency ANI)

An Emirates flight from Dubai to Mumbai landed safely at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Tuesday as flight services began returning to normal after disruptions caused by the escalating West Asian conflict.

Emirates flight EK 500 reached Mumbai following close coordination between airport authorities and airline officials, offering relief to passengers who had been stranded amid multiple cancellations and delays over the past few days.

Ajay, a passenger on the flight, described the situation in Dubai. Speaking to ANI, he said, "We had a flight to the USA from Dubai. When it didn't take off, we thought there might be some issues with the flight. After 7-8 hours, we were told that a war had broken out," he said.

He said the airline made arrangements for affected passengers. "Buses from Emirates came and took all the passengers to the hotels. As soon as we came to know that the flight to Mumbai would leave, we immediately contacted them and came here. Slowly, the situation is getting controlled there," Ajay said.

In a related development, the first flight from Abu Dhabi touched down at the Kempegowda International Airport on Monday night, bringing back travellers impacted by the disruption in air services.

A passenger stranded in Abu Dhabi commended the arrangements made by Etihad Airways. Speaking to ANI, the traveller said, "Once we got stuck in the Abu Dhabi airport, Etihad Airways took good care of us. They booked the hotels for all the passengers whose flights were cancelled."

Meanwhile, another Emirates service from Dubai to Bengaluru departed on Monday night as operations at Dubai airports began to gradually restart.

Dubai Airports confirmed that limited flight operations would resume from the evening of March 2 (Monday), with a small number of services operating out of Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).

(Reported by news agency ANI)

Major airlines including IndiGo, Akasa Air, Qatar Airways, and Emirates have suspended or extended the suspension of flights to and from Middle Eastern destinations amid rising regional tensions, offering passengers flexibility with waivers and refunds.

IndiGo announced on X on Monday that it has “continued to meticulously evaluate the evolving regional developments and their potential impact on flight operations, and after reviewing the latest operational inputs, is taking the course that it believes is most responsible for its guests, given the priority of safety.”

“As part of our continued precautionary approach, the temporary suspension of select international flights operating through parts of the Middle Eastern airspace has been extended. Additionally, certain other international services have been put on align operations with evolving conditions. Please check your flight status for the latest updates,” the airline said in a travel advisory.

The airline added that it is extending full flexibility and waivers for travel to and from select cities, along with other impacted Air flights to international sectors, until 7 March 2026 for bookings made on or before 28 February 2026.

“Customers may reschedule at no additional cost or opt for a credit shell. If your booking is impacted, you will receive timely notifications on your registered contact number, and our teams are ready to provide assistance and guide you through the available options,” IndiGo stated.

Akasa Air announced the suspension of all flights to and from Jordan, Doha, Kuwait, and Riyadh for 3 March 2026.

“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, all Akasa Air flights to and from Jordan, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Riyadh have also been suspended for March 03, 2026. We will continue updating our flight status for these destinations, based on the situation as it unfolds,” the airline said in a travel update.

For all bookings made to or from these cities until 7 March 2026, passengers may opt for a full refund or reschedule their travel at no additional cost.

“Our teams will continue to closely monitor the safety and security environment and proactively adjust our operations as required. Passengers are requested to check their flight status before commencing travel to the airport. For any further assistance, please feel free to contact our 24x7 Akasa Care Centre,” the airline added.

Qatar Airways said its flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

“Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. A further update will be provided on March 03 by 09:00 Doha time (06:00 UTC). Customers are advised to monitor the latest flight information on qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile app,” the airline stated.

Emirates announced the temporary suspension of all operations to and from Dubai up until 1500 hours UAE time on Tuesday, 3 March, due to multiple regional airspace closures.

“The situation remains dynamic and is assessed continuously. We urge all customers to review the latest operational updates on http://emirates.com
and check their email for any notifications about changes or cancellations to their flights before travelling to the airport,” Emirates said.

For customers booked to travel before or on 5 March, Emirates is offering two options: rebook on an alternate flight for travel on or before 20 March, or request a full refund.

“Customers impacted by flight cancellations must contact their travel agency for rebooking. If booked directly with Emirates, please contact us. All city check-in points across Dubai are temporarily closed until further notice,” the airline said.

“We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities. We apologize to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority,” Emirates added.

Akasa Air said it has suspended flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh until March 2, citing safety concerns amid the evolving situation in the Middle East.

"As part of our continued commitment to safety and responsible operations, we are taking measured decisions across select international sectors in view of the evolving situation in the Middle East. As shared earlier, Akasa Air flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh have been suspended until March 02, 2026," an official statement read.

Akasa Air said passengers with bookings impacted until March 7 can opt for a full refund or reschedule at no extra charge, adding that its teams are contacting affected travellers for assistance.

Air travel across West Asia — spanning the UAE to Israel — continued to be heavily disrupted, with approximately 1,600 flights cancelled by regional carriers including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways up to Sunday evening across all international routes.

The ongoing conflict in West Asia led to the cancellation of 50 flights connecting Bengaluru with major regional destinations on Sunday, Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) reported. By 6 PM, 22 arrivals and 28 departures had been called off.

Routes to key Gulf cities — Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai, and Doha — were most affected, disrupting travel for hundreds of passengers.

Around 120 devotees from Jodhpur are stranded in Dubai after flight cancellations linked to the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel.
The group travelled to attend a religious discourse by Sant Amritram Maharaj at Bada Ramdwara, Soorsagar. According to information received from families, they left for Dubai on Feb 23 for the discourse scheduled from Feb 24 to Feb 28. The event concluded Saturday, and the group then went to the airport to return home.

At the airport, they were told their flights had been cancelled due to the prevailing situation. Airport authorities directed them back to their hotel, where all the stranded devotees are now staying temporarily.

Amritrann Maharaj, in a video message, said everybody in the group was safe and appealed to the Indian govt for their safe travel to Jodhpur.
Of the 120 people, nearly 100 belong to the Mali community from the Mandore and Soorsagar areas of Jodhpur.

Reports of ongoing missile attacks in the region have heightened anxiety among the stranded passengers, while their families in Jodhpur remain deeply concerned.

Indian airlines have extended flight suspensions and rerouted services as airspace disruptions continue across parts of the Middle East amid the ongoing regional crisis.

Akasa Air said it has extended the suspension of flights connecting Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh until 3 March.

“Due to the ongoing situation in the Middle East, all Akasa Air flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait and Riyadh have also been suspended for March 03, 2026,” the airline said in a post on X.

The carrier added that its teams would continue to “closely monitor the safety and security environment” and adjust operations as required.

According to Akasa Air, passengers with bookings to or from these cities until 7 March may opt for a full refund or reschedule their travel at no additional cost.

A passenger at IGI Airport says, Dr Rafia Khan, "My parents have gone for Umrah to Saudi Arabia. We have come here to drop them. We just saw them off... We have been told that all flights to Saudi Arabia are on time. We were scared because the Gulf is on fire today, and our parents are going to a place which is a warzone. We faced a lot of trouble in contacting the airlines repeatedly. A lot of passengers were overburdened with queries... But the staff was very courteous and nice to us. They gave us details of all flights properly... We were given the correct information because of which we were able to come to the airport and see them off."

"Qatar Airways flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. A further update will be provided on March 03 by 09:00 Doha time (06:00 UTC). Passengers are advised to monitor the latest flight information via http://qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile app."

“There is no daily flight from Bhubaneswar to the Middle East; only Dubai is connected, with flights on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. The last flight operated on Friday. After Saturday, due to airspace issues over Muscat, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi, flights to and from the west have been cancelled. Although Bhubaneswar was initially unaffected, today’s IndiGo flight was cancelled, and passengers were informed in advance. We do not expect any stranded passengers, as airlines have notified them beforehand. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is monitoring the situation daily and taking decisions based on airspace and airport availability in the Middle East

The continuing conflict in West Asia led to the cancellation of 50 flights connecting Bengaluru with major destinations in the region on Sunday, according to Kempegowda International Airport (KIA).

By 6pm, a total of 22 incoming and 28 outgoing flights had been called off. Services to prominent Gulf hubs — Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai and Doha — were the worst affected, disrupting travel plans for hundreds of passengers.

(Reported by news agency PTI)

Flight services between Kerala and Gulf destinations were disrupted for the third straight day on Monday amid the ongoing conflict in West Asia, with officials warning that the situation could continue for several more days.

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) showed nearly 45 outbound flights from Kochi as cancelled on Monday on its official website. Despite the widespread cancellations, an Oman Air service to Muscat departed at 8.10 am.

Flights operated by Saudia to Jeddah and Riyadh, an Oman Air service to Muscat, an Etihad Airways flight to Abu Dhabi and a SpiceJet flight to Dubai were listed as operating as scheduled. A comparable number of inbound flights at Kochi were also marked as cancelled.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Limited (TIAL) reported that 20 Gulf-bound flights were cancelled on Monday. Over the last three days, 65 services to and from Thiruvananthapuram airport have been called off.

Airport officials said an Oman Air flight from Muscat landed at 7.20 am and departed again around 8.30 am.

Kannur International Airport Limited (KIAL) indicated on its website that 10 flights to Gulf destinations were cancelled.

At Calicut airport, nearly 20 flights remained suspended. However, SalamAir, Oman Air, Flynas and Air Arabia operated limited services to select destinations in Oman and Saudi Arabia.

Airport authorities stated that airlines have established help desks and are coordinating with affected passengers, adding that operations are expected to remain impacted until tensions in West Asia ease.

As many as 20 incoming flights from different Gulf countries and 22 outgoing services were cancelled at Calicut International Airport on Monday.

Several passengers were left stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after multiple flights were cancelled following the escalating situation in the Middle East.

Travellers bound for Gulf destinations reported being stuck at the airport for days as uncertainty over departures continued.

A passenger said, "We were going to Dubai. We have been here for three days since the 28th." Another traveller shared their ordeal, saying, "We are getting our food and drinks from outside and eating. We are staying at the airport itself."

Qatar Airways flight operations remain temporarily suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace.

Qatar Airways will resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the safe reopening of Qatari airspace. A further update will be provided on March 02 by 09:00 Doha time (06:00 UTC). Passengers are advised to monitor the latest flight information via http://qatarairways.com or the Qatar Airways mobile app

Regional airspace closures continue to impact Etihad's operations, and all flights to and from Abu Dhabi are suspended until 14:00 UAE time on Monday 2 March.

Guests due to travel are advised to:

- Check their flight status at http://etihad.com before travelling to the airport
- Ensure their contact details are up to date in their booking
- Guests holding Etihad tickets issued on or before 28 February 2026, with original travel dates up to 3 March 2026, may rebook free of charge onto Etihad-operated flights up to 15 March 2026.
- Guests on all Etihad flights until 3 March may request a full refund at http://etihad.com/en/help/refund-form or through their travel agent.
- Guests who booked through a travel agent should contact their agent directly

We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls and appreciate your patience as it may take longer than usual for calls to be answered. Guests seeking a refund are encouraged to use the above linked refund request form.

The situation remains dynamic and schedules may change at short notice.

Etihad continues to work in close coordination with the relevant authorities and will resume normal operations as soon as conditions permit. The safety of Etihad’s guests and staff is our highest priority. We apologise for the inconvenience and appreciate our guests’ understanding.

The only scheduled flight operating between Indore and Sharjah has remained cancelled since Saturday, causing significant inconvenience to hundreds of passengers.

As a result of the suspension, several travellers from Indore and other parts of Madhya Pradesh have been compelled to extend their stay in the UAE due to the non-operation of the return service.

A recently married couple from the Shia-majority Balti community in Ambari village, located about 40 km from Dehradun, are among the Indians stranded in Iran following US-Israeli airstrikes there.

Ali Haider, 24, and his 20-year-old wife, Noor Jahan, have been studying Islamic theology in the cities of Qom and Ashtian, respectively, for the past four years.

(Reported by News Agency PTI)

The Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) has reviewed the evolving situation in West Asia and expressed concern over the safety and security of the large Indian expatriate community in the region.

The CCS also directed all concerned departments to take necessary and feasible measures to assist Indian nationals affected by the developments.

The CCS, which met last evening under the chairmanship of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, also underscored the importance of an early cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy.

An official statement said the CCS met to review the evolving situation in West Asia, and the meeting was briefed on the air strikes in Iran on February 18 and the subsequent escalation, including attacks in several Gulf countries.

"It (CCS) expressed serious concern over the safety and security of the large Indian expatriate community in the region," the statement said.

The CCS also reviewed the difficulties faced by Indian travellers transiting the region and students appearing for scheduled examinations, as well as the broader implications for regional security and economic and commercial activities.

"The CCS directed all concerned departments to take necessary and feasible measures to assist Indian nationals affected by the developments. It underscored the importance of an early cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue and diplomacy," the statement said.

"Due to multiple regional airspace closures, Emirates has temporarily suspended all operations to and from Dubai, up until 1500hrs UAE time on Monday, 2 March.

If you are booked to travel before or on 5 March, your options are:

Rebook on an alternate flight. You can rebook on another flight to your intended destination up to 20 days from your original date of travel. If you booked your flight with a travel agent, please contact them. If you booked with us directly, contact us at http://emirat.es/support.
Request for refund. You can request for a refund of your ticket by completing the refund form at http://emirat.es/refund if you booked with us directly. If you booked your flights with a travel agent, please contact them.

We urge all customers to check http://emirat.es/flightstatus before proceeding to the airport.

Customers impacted by flight cancellations must contact their travel agency for rebooking. If booked directly with Emirates, please contact us at http://emirat.es/support.
Customers are requested to ensure their contact details are correct by visiting http://emirat.es/managebooking to receive updates. We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities.

We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused. The safety and security of our passengers and crew remain our highest priority."

Around 50 pilgrims from Bengaluru who travelled to Medina are currently stranded in Saudi Arabia after escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted flight operations. The group was scheduled to depart at 2am on March 2, but their return was halted due to cancellations, leaving them stuck in Medina.

The group includes women, young children and elderly pilgrims. Families said they have been struggling to arrange accommodation and seek assistance as expenses continue to rise amid the uncertainty.

The pilgrims had left Bengaluru on February 15 and have been staying at Al Shams Hostel in Medina since Thursday.

A total of 65 flights have been cancelled so far from Trivandrum. Of these, 20 cancellations have been reported today alone.

“In view of the continuing situation in the Middle East, Air India has extended the suspension of all flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until 2359 hrs IST on 2 March 2026.

Additionally, select flights to Europe scheduled on 2 March 2026 have been cancelled, along with the scheduled return legs of these flights:

• AI117: Amritsar-Birmingham
• AI151/AI152: Delhi-Zurich
• AI157/AI158: Delhi-Copenhagen
• AI114: Birmingham-Delhi

All other flights to North America and Europe will operate per schedule using alternative routings over available airspaces in the Middle East, which is expected to add to the flying times. Additionally, flights to New York (JFK) and Newark (Liberty International) will operate with technical stops at Rome (Fiumicino Airport).

Air India continues to closely monitor the situation and has carefully assessed the evolving circumstances across multiple parameters, including safety, security, airspace availability, and operational feasibility, before deciding on these operations for 2 March 2026. We will share updates, based on further assessments, at an appropriate time.

Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to affected guests and is committed to assisting them with alternative arrangements. Guests with affected bookings are being notified on their registered contact details.”

"We continue to observe developments across parts of the Middle East and surrounding regions with utmost attentiveness. We understand that this period may feel uncertain, and we want to reassure you that every decision is being taken with care and prudence.

In view of the prevailing situation, the temporary suspension of select international flights that use Middle East airspace, has been extended until 2nd March 2026, 2359 hrs IST. Please refer to the list of cancelled flights on our website https://goindigo.in/information/flight-cancellations.html. This extension is a precautionary measure to ensure that we uphold the highest standards of safety for our customers and crew.

We recognise that changes to travel plans can cause inconvenience. Customers whose bookings are impacted may opt for alternate flight options or claim a full refund via https://t.co/9VuwyhxE9G.

In our continued effort to stand by you during this time, we are extending full flexibility and waivers for travel to and from the Middle East, along with other impacted international sectors, until 7th March 2026, for bookings made on or before 28th February 2026. Customers may opt for a full refund or reschedule at no additional cost.

Any further changes will be duly communicated through your registered contact details. We truly appreciate your patience and understanding as we navigate this carefully and remain available to support you in any way we can."

The Consulate General of India in Turkey’s Istanbul released an advisory after several flights were cancelled or diverted at Istanbul Grand Airport and Sabiha Gokcen International Airport.

The Consulate said it is "closely monitoring the situation arising from the cancellation and diversion of flights" at the two airports. It further stated that the mission "remains in constant communication with the concerned airlines as well as Indian passengers who may be affected."

Passengers were left stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Cochin International Airport Limited, and other airports across the country on Monday after multiple flights were cancelled amid the escalating situation in the Middle East.At IGI Airport in Delhi, several passengers were seen waiting for hours as services were disrupted due to the ongoing Israel–Iran conflict.

Six flights operating between Jaipur and Sharjah, Dubai, and Muscat were cancelled on Sunday night. The affected services included three incoming flights and three outgoing departures.

Amid the escalating Iran-Israel conflict, flight operations at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have been significantly disrupted, leaving several passengers stranded as multiple services to the Middle East face cancellations.

One passenger associated with the travel industry said that most routes to the Middle East were being called off, creating difficulties for those planning religious travel during Ramadan.

"I work in the travel industry. An Air India flight from Mumbai, in which a few of my clients were supposed to travel, has also been cancelled... We are not getting any updates on rescheduling. People from here go to Mecca and Medina for worship during Ramadan. Almost all flights to the Middle East are currently being cancelled," he said.

Another individual, Rafia Khan, who had accompanied her parents to the airport for their departure, said the uncertainty had initially caused panic but appreciated the assistance provided by airport authorities.

"We have been told that all flights to Saudi Arabia are on time. We were scared because the Gulf is on fire today, and our parents are going to a place which is a warzone. We faced a lot of trouble in contacting the airlines repeatedly. A lot of passengers were overburdened with queries... But the staff was very courteous and nice to us. They gave us details of all flights properly... We were given the correct information because of which we were able to come to the airport and see them off," she said.

At least 100 flights — 60 departures and 40 arrivals — were cancelled at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport on Sunday amid the escalating Israel-Iran conflict. Passengers continued to face disruptions on Monday as airlines revised schedules following airspace closures across parts of West Asia, affecting westbound international operations.

Delhi Airport urged passengers to check flight status directly with airlines before heading to the airport. In an advisory posted on X, authorities cited the evolving political situation in the Middle East and asked travellers to depend only on official communication channels for verified updates regarding schedule changes.

IndiGo said affected passengers would be contacted directly if their flights over Middle Eastern airspace were impacted. The airline advised travellers to explore alternative arrangements or seek refunds. Akasa Air suspended select Middle Eastern routes until March 2 and offered full refunds or complimentary rescheduling for impacted bookings.

Around 30 flights were cancelled at Chennai airport. The cancellations were part of a broader aviation impact triggered by airspace closures and safety measures implemented by countries in the Middle East amid the intensifying conflict.

BJP MP Hemang Joshi said over 45 tourists from Gujarat’s Vadodara district are stranded at Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports following cancellations. While no immediate hardships have been reported, authorities are monitoring developments and exploring possible assistance depending on how the regional situation unfolds.