Manas Dasgupta
NEW DELHI, Feb 28: Airlines across Europe, the Middle East and Asia have announced cancellations, suspensions and route changes as airspace closures spread following strikes involving Israel, Iran and the United States. Several carriers cited safety concerns, while others issued advisories warning of longer flight times and possible disruptions.
In India, major Indian carriers, Indigo and Air India, cancelled their flights to the Middle East as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran snowballed with attacks in the region, including in the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, parts of Saudi Arabia, Iraq and Jordan.
Air India announced that all flights to Middle East have been suspended in view of the ongoing strikes in the region. IndiGo too announced the cancellations to and from Middle East, citing the safety and security of the passengers.
Air India’ Delhi–Tel Aviv flight was forced to turn back on Saturday after Israel and Iran closed their airspaces, followed by the airline cancelling all its West Asia bound flights. “AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on 28 February is returning to India due to the closure of airspace in Israel and in the interest of the safety of passengers and crew,” the airline said in a statement.
IndiGo also announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Middle East…till 0000hrs.” “These measures have been instituted as the safety and security of our customers and crew is our highest priority. Our teams are continuously monitoring the evolving situation and recalibrating operations to minimise disruption as much as possible,” it said.
“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,” the advisory issued by Air India stated.
IndiGo, meanwhile, said the flights to and from Middle East were cancelled till midnight. “In view of evolving airspace restrictions around Iran and Middle East, all flights to and from Middle East are cancelled till 0000hrs. These measures have been instituted as the safety and security of our customers and crew is our highest priority. Our teams are continuously monitoring the evolving situation and recalibrating operations to minimise disruption as much as possible,” a statement from IndiGo read.
Another Indian carrier, SpiceJet said that some of its flights to Dubai will be affected due to airspace closure of the Middle East region.
A senior official from the Ministry of Civil Aviation said the “government is reviewing the rapidly evolving situation.” “We have to ensure passengers have timely information and airlines are able to plan alternate routes keeping safety and pilot rest and duty norms in mind,” the official said.
Another Air India flight from Chicago to Delhi was also observed taking a wider detour to avoid the region — flying even farther around Iran than its already adjusted route to steer clear of the closed airspace. A time-lapse video on Flightradar24 showed aircraft gradually clearing out of the airspace between Iran and Israel shortly after both countries announced the shutdown of their skies. Later in the day, UAE, Bahrain and Qatar temporarily closed their respective airspaces as a temporary precautionary measure.
Airline carriers, including Air France, Wizz Air, Lufthansa, Polish Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Qatar Airways, and Japan Airlines cancelled their flights to the conflict-hit region. From single-day cancellations to week-long suspensions, airlines said they are closely monitoring the evolving security situation and are prepared to make further adjustments as needed.
Meanwhile, Delhi airport warned passengers of disruptions to west-bound flights. “Due to the evolving political situation in the Middle East region, westbound international flights may experience disruptions or schedule adjustments,” it said.