Air India has suspended all flights to the Middle East, East Coast of North America, and parts of Europe with immediate effect, citing safety concerns over the escalating situation in the region.
The airline issued the travel advisory, saying that “India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins and others are being rerouted or sent back to India” due to the closure of airspace in the region.
“Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region… until further notice,” the advisory read. The national carrier said it is in constant touch with external security experts and is closely monitoring the situation. “We request the understanding of all passengers affected by this disruption that’s beyond an airline’s control,” a spokesperson said, adding that the safety of passengers and crew remains the airline’s top priority.
Not just Air India, but other airlines operating in and around the Middle East have issued fresh travel advisories as tensions continue in the region. While some carriers are cautiously resuming services, others are still operating with delays and detours to avoid conflict zones.
IndiGo suspends, then gradually resumes flights
IndiGo temporarily suspended its flights to and from several Middle Eastern cities including Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, and others, citing safety concerns due to the ongoing situation. The suspension lasted at least until 10:00 am today. The airline said the move was a “proactive safety measure” and apologised to passengers for the inconvenience caused.
However, in their latest advisory, IndiGo said it has started gradually resuming flights to the affected destinations as airports in the region reopen. It added that flight paths are being reviewed carefully to ensure safety and passengers should continue checking for updates.
Emirates keeps flights running with caution
Dubai-based Emirates confirmed that some of its flights were rerouted on June 23 but did not face any diversions or cancellations. The airline has decided to continue operating on schedule after a detailed risk assessment, using flight paths that avoid conflict areas.
However, Emirates has warned of possible delays due to longer routes and airspace congestion. Passengers have been advised to check their flight status before heading to the airport and to contact their travel agency for rebooking if their flight was cancelled.
Both airlines have said they are closely monitoring the situation and remain in touch with aviation authorities to ensure the highest level of passenger safety.
Trump’s ‘complete and total ceasefire’ announcement
The announcement comes amid US President Donald Trump‘s announcement of “complete and total ceasefire” that he helped broker between Iran and Israel. Details of the deal remain unclear, and there has been no official confirmation from either Tehran or Jerusalem.
Despite Trump’s announcement, tensions in the region remain high, prompting airlines across the world to reassess routes that pass through affected airspaces. Air India’s decision is part of broader aviation caution seen across several international carriers.