IndiGo, Air India Among Airlines Cancelling and Rerouting Flights After Iran’s Strike on US Base in Qatar

Following Iran’s military strike on the Al Udeid air base in Qatar — the largest US military installation in the region — late Monday, major disruptions hit flight operations across the Middle East. The attack prompted several Middle Eastern countries to temporarily close their airspace, leading airlines to urgently cancel or reroute numerous flights.

The impact was immediate and widespread, affecting major Indian carriers such as IndiGo, Air India, and Air India Express, as well as international airlines like Virgin Australia. Delhi Airport experienced the brunt of these disruptions, with 48 flights — 28 arrivals and 20 departures — cancelled overnight. Mangaluru International Airport in Karnataka also faced flight operation issues during the same period.

Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport issued an advisory acknowledging that international operations might face disruptions due to restricted airspaces in the Middle East. Airport authorities assured passengers that on-ground teams were actively working with airline and government stakeholders to minimize inconvenience.

Mangaluru Airport also issued a public notice urging passengers to confirm flight statuses with their airlines before heading to the airport. The airport's advisory on platform X (formerly Twitter) stated that flight operations had been affected due to the ongoing regional crisis and requested public cooperation.

Specific flights were diverted for safety reasons. An Air India Express flight from Karnataka en route to Dammam was redirected to Muscat, while an IndiGo flight to Abu Dhabi had to land in Mumbai instead. In a more severe response, Air India announced the suspension of all its flights to the Middle East, North America's East Coast, and Europe, citing passenger safety concerns due to the escalating situation.

BBC News highlighted that Gulf region airports are critical stopover hubs for long-haul routes between Europe, Asia, and Australia. This underlines the wider implications of disrupted airspace in this region.

Air India posted a detailed update on X, confirming the suspension of operations to and from affected regions and the diversion of ongoing India-bound flights from North America. These planes were either returning to their points of origin or being rerouted via safer paths to avoid conflict zones.

Air India also emphasized that the disruption was beyond the airline's control and reassured passengers that they were in continuous consultation with security advisors. They reiterated their commitment to prioritizing the safety of both passengers and staff, promising timely updates.

Meanwhile, early Tuesday saw a ceasefire take effect between Iran and Israel, providing some relief to aviation operators. IndiGo, in response, announced a gradual resumption of its services to the affected areas. The airline stated that they were carefully monitoring the situation and choosing the safest flight paths to ensure secure and uninterrupted travel. IndiGo encouraged passengers to stay updated through their official website or mobile app.

The swift and coordinated responses by the airlines reflect the seriousness of the situation and the emphasis on passenger safety amid geopolitical instability. However, the disruptions serve as a reminder of how volatile developments in the Middle East can significantly affect global air travel and logistics.