Mideast Conflict: 80 Delhi Flights Cancelled, Foreigners Stranded at Bengaluru

On March 3, 2026, major Indian airports experienced significant disruptions, with 80 international flights cancelled at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport alone, severely affecting international travel. The cancellations were attributed to the escalating conflict in the Middle East, involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has led to widespread airspace closures across the Gulf region. The impact extended beyond Delhi, with over 250 flights cancelled across major Indian airports on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, including Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Specifically, Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport reported 107 cancellations, while Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) saw at least 42 flights cancelled, and Chennai Airport recorded 30 cancellations. These disruptions marked the fourth consecutive day of affected flight operations for Indian airlines, which collectively cancelled 1,117 international flights over the preceding three days due to the West Asia crisis. Foreign nationals and other travellers were significantly impacted, with reports of passengers, including a German national, being stranded at Bengaluru Airport due to flight cancellations to Middle Eastern destinations. Many expressed frustration over a lack of clear information and the high cost of alternative tickets. The situation in the Middle East has created an unprecedented challenge for global aviation, particularly affecting the critical East-West travel corridors that largely rely on the now-restricted airspace over countries like Iran, Iraq, Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Syria, with partially closed airspaces in the UAE and Saudi Arabia. Key aviation hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha, which are vital connecting points for millions of passengers travelling between Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, have been either fully or partially shut down. This has forced airlines worldwide to cancel thousands of flights and reroute others, adding significant flight times, increasing fuel and operational costs, and causing immense logistical complexities. Some airlines, including Emirates and Etihad, initially suspended most scheduled services, operating only limited special flights. Indian carriers have also been deeply affected. Air India suspended flights to West Asia until March 3, though some flights to the US, Canada, Europe, and the UK began operating. IndiGo announced plans to operate 10 special relief flights from Jeddah to Indian cities on March 3, 2026, to assist stranded passengers, subject to necessary approvals and prevailing airspace conditions. Akasa Air also suspended its flights to and from Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Kuwait, and Riyadh for March 3. Over 1,500 Indian passengers have already been repatriated from the Middle East through special operations by Air India, IndiGo, and other airlines. Notably, Indian badminton star P.V. Sindhu was among the 213 travellers who safely returned to Bengaluru from Dubai on Monday night, highlighting the personal impact of the crisis. The Ministry of Civil Aviation in India has been closely monitoring the situation to facilitate relief for passengers and address grievances. Travellers are advised to constantly check with their respective airlines for the latest flight status and consider alternative routes or connections. The ongoing geopolitical tensions in the Middle East are expected to continue impacting global travel for the foreseeable future, making it one of the most significant disruptions to air travel in recent history, comparable in scale to the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic for its impact on aviation.

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