Multiple airlines cancel, divert flights across the Middle East region following Iran's attack on US bases
IndiGo on Monday announced that some of its flights could experience delays or diversions due to the escalating situation in the Middle East.
The airline said that this was done to ensure that the operations remain within safe airspace and advised passengers to check flight status regularly.
"In view of the evolving situation in the Middle East, some of our flights may experience delays or diversions. These adjustments are being made to ensure operations remain within safe and compliant airspace. We recommend checking your flight status regularly. If your flight is impacted, alternate options can be easily explored through our website. We continue to monitor the situation closely in coordination with the relevant authorities. We appreciate your patience and understanding," IndiGo said in a post on X.
Air India Express announced that its Doha bound flight from Kochi to Muscat returned to Kannur.
"As a result of the ongoing situation in the Middle East and suspension of Qatar airspace, Air India Express has diverted our Doha bound flight from Kochi to Muscat and returned our flight bound from Kannur. We have no other flights bound for Qatar. Air India Express has no aircraft on the ground in Qatar. We are monitoring the situation closely and will take all necessary precautions for the safety and security of our guests and crew, with inputs from the relevant authorities," an Air India Express spokesperson said.
Further, Kuwait Airways suspended flights departing from Kuwait.
"Due to developments in the region, flights departing from Kuwait have been suspended. The weather conditions are being monitored and evaluated. Any updates will be announced in this regard. We hope everyone will follow the news from the official channels of Kuwait Airways. We ask God to protect Kuwait and its people from all harm.," Kuwait Airways said in a post.
Pakistan International Airlines cancelled its flight operations from Pakistan to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Dubai following the escalation in the region.
Earlier in the day, global commercial airlines, including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Air India, had canceled or rerouted flights across the Persian Gulf following US military strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. The move has caused a growing disruption in aviation traffic throughout the region.
British Airways cancelled multiple flights to Dubai and diverted others mid-route, citing operational limitations and airspace restrictions. One flight en route from London Heathrow to Dubai was diverted to Zurich after entering Saudi airspace. Another was turned back to Heathrow after reaching Egypt. The airline also suspended flights to Doha and Bahrain, with service to some Gulf destinations paused until the end of June.
A British Airways spokesperson said, “We have adjusted our flight schedule as a result of recent events to ensure the safety of our customers and crew.”
Air France, too, has cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until Tuesday due to rising tensions in the Middle East. The airline announced this decision as part of precautions for passenger safety.
A company spokesperson said, “Air France has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until July 14.”
The carrier has also stopped flights to and from Beirut until June 25. These changes affect connections across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Finnair announced that it has cancelled all flights to and from Qatar’s capital, Doha, until June 30. The carrier stated that the decision came due to the security situation in the region.
Singapore Airlines cancelled two flights between Singapore and Dubai on Sunday and noted that further changes may follow as the situation continues to evolve.
Other carriers are choosing longer routes to avoid the Persian Gulf. Japan Airlines has added approximately 20 minutes to its Tokyo–Doha flights by avoiding the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Air India announced it is avoiding Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace. It will gradually expand, rerouting over parts of the Gulf region. The airline confirmed that flight times to the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait will be longer, with some European and North American routes also affected.
Air India Express, which operates a large share of flights to the Middle East, has cancelled several services. While the airline has not officially commented, sources cited both the security situation and lower passenger bookings as reasons.
Other major carriers have also taken action. Air France KLM cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh for Sunday and Monday. American Airlines and United Airlines previously suspended flights to Qatar and Dubai, respectively.
FlightRadar24 tracking data showed large sections of airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel remained empty as airlines sought alternate flight paths.
Global airline security organisations, including Safe Airspace, have warned of increased risks due to the US strikes and possible retaliation by Iran. The organisation noted that missile and drone activity in the region poses a threat to commercial operations, especially those involving American carriers.
The airline said that this was done to ensure that the operations remain within safe airspace and advised passengers to check flight status regularly.
"In view of the evolving situation in the Middle East, some of our flights may experience delays or diversions. These adjustments are being made to ensure operations remain within safe and compliant airspace. We recommend checking your flight status regularly. If your flight is impacted, alternate options can be easily explored through our website. We continue to monitor the situation closely in coordination with the relevant authorities. We appreciate your patience and understanding," IndiGo said in a post on X.
Air India Express announced that its Doha bound flight from Kochi to Muscat returned to Kannur.
"As a result of the ongoing situation in the Middle East and suspension of Qatar airspace, Air India Express has diverted our Doha bound flight from Kochi to Muscat and returned our flight bound from Kannur. We have no other flights bound for Qatar. Air India Express has no aircraft on the ground in Qatar. We are monitoring the situation closely and will take all necessary precautions for the safety and security of our guests and crew, with inputs from the relevant authorities," an Air India Express spokesperson said.
Further, Kuwait Airways suspended flights departing from Kuwait.
"Due to developments in the region, flights departing from Kuwait have been suspended. The weather conditions are being monitored and evaluated. Any updates will be announced in this regard. We hope everyone will follow the news from the official channels of Kuwait Airways. We ask God to protect Kuwait and its people from all harm.," Kuwait Airways said in a post.
Pakistan International Airlines cancelled its flight operations from Pakistan to Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait and Dubai following the escalation in the region.
Earlier in the day, global commercial airlines, including British Airways, Singapore Airlines, and Air India, had canceled or rerouted flights across the Persian Gulf following US military strikes on nuclear facilities in Iran. The move has caused a growing disruption in aviation traffic throughout the region.
British Airways cancelled multiple flights to Dubai and diverted others mid-route, citing operational limitations and airspace restrictions. One flight en route from London Heathrow to Dubai was diverted to Zurich after entering Saudi airspace. Another was turned back to Heathrow after reaching Egypt. The airline also suspended flights to Doha and Bahrain, with service to some Gulf destinations paused until the end of June.
A British Airways spokesperson said, “We have adjusted our flight schedule as a result of recent events to ensure the safety of our customers and crew.”
Air France, too, has cancelled flights to and from Dubai and Riyadh until Tuesday due to rising tensions in the Middle East. The airline announced this decision as part of precautions for passenger safety.
A company spokesperson said, “Air France has suspended flights to Tel Aviv until July 14.”
The carrier has also stopped flights to and from Beirut until June 25. These changes affect connections across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Finnair announced that it has cancelled all flights to and from Qatar’s capital, Doha, until June 30. The carrier stated that the decision came due to the security situation in the region.
Singapore Airlines cancelled two flights between Singapore and Dubai on Sunday and noted that further changes may follow as the situation continues to evolve.
Other carriers are choosing longer routes to avoid the Persian Gulf. Japan Airlines has added approximately 20 minutes to its Tokyo–Doha flights by avoiding the Gulf and Gulf of Oman. Air India announced it is avoiding Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace. It will gradually expand, rerouting over parts of the Gulf region. The airline confirmed that flight times to the UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Kuwait will be longer, with some European and North American routes also affected.
Air India Express, which operates a large share of flights to the Middle East, has cancelled several services. While the airline has not officially commented, sources cited both the security situation and lower passenger bookings as reasons.
Other major carriers have also taken action. Air France KLM cancelled flights to Dubai and Riyadh for Sunday and Monday. American Airlines and United Airlines previously suspended flights to Qatar and Dubai, respectively.
FlightRadar24 tracking data showed large sections of airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel remained empty as airlines sought alternate flight paths.
Global airline security organisations, including Safe Airspace, have warned of increased risks due to the US strikes and possible retaliation by Iran. The organisation noted that missile and drone activity in the region poses a threat to commercial operations, especially those involving American carriers.
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