Indian aviation sector is facing its most significant crisis since the 2020 pandemic. Between February 28 and March 8, Indian airlines cancelled more than 2,600 flights, primarily due to the sudden closure of West Asian airspace following the escalation of the Iran-Israel-US conflict.
The disruptions have stranded thousands of passengers, forced massive rerouting of westbound international flights, and triggered a sharp spike in operational costs.
Cancellations Breakdown (Since Feb 28)
The wave of cancellations was led by India’s largest carriers, particularly those with heavy Middle Eastern and European networks.
| Airline | Approx. Cancellations | Primary Impact |
| IndiGo | 1,098+ | Most affected; suspended major Gulf hubs and rerouted European flights via Central Asia. |
| Air India Express | 818+ | Forced to suspend all westbound international flights to parts of the Gulf for several days. |
| Air India | 240+ | Long-haul flights to Europe and the US required technical fuel stops in Istanbul or Baku due to rerouting. |
| Others (SpiceJet, Akasa) | 450+ | Primarily regional Gulf connectors and seasonal charters. |
- Single-Day Peak: March 1 saw a record 350+ same-day cancellations as Iran, Iraq, and Jordan temporarily shuttered their skies.
- Stranded Passengers: Over 100,000 travelers were initially affected, though government-led repatriation efforts have already brought back nearly 88,000 passengers on 286 special flights.
The “Double Whammy”: Airspace & Oil
The crisis is not just logistical; it is a financial emergency for Indian carriers.
- Airspace Rerouting: Flights from Delhi/Mumbai to London or New York that previously overflew the Gulf are now taking a “Northern Route” via Tajikistan and Turkey. This adds 90–120 minutes of flight time and thousands of kilograms in extra fuel burn per trip.
- Oil Price Surge: Brent crude hit $119.50/barrel on Monday morning. In India, Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) prices for March 2026 were hiked to ₹96,638 per KL, a 6% jump that directly compresses the already thin margins of domestic airlines.
- Stock Market Impact: IndiGo (InterGlobe Aviation) shares plunged 8% on Monday, hitting an 11-month low as investors priced in the high cost of fuel and lost international capacity.
Current Status: Monday, March 9, 2026
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) is in “active recovery” mode today:
- 50 Special Flights: Indian carriers have planned 50 inbound flights today from safe hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, and Jeddah to continue clearing the backlog of stranded citizens.
- Fare Monitoring: The government has warned airlines against “price gouging,” activating a Passenger Assistance Control Room to handle over 1,400 daily grievances regarding soaring ticket prices.
- Resumption: Most domestic routes remain unaffected, and international flights are gradually resuming using the new, longer flight paths approved by the DGCA.
