West Asian airspace closed; Indian airlines cancel flights, Pg7

Key Highlights:

• Escalating tensions in West Asia led to airspace closures, causing flight cancellations and rerouting on Saturday, March 1, 2026.
• The DGCA issued a safety advisory valid until March 2, urging airlines to avoid airspace over 11 countries including Iran, Iraq, Israel, and Saudi Arabia.
• Air India and IndiGo cancelled all flights to West Asia until midnight on March 1.
• Major international airports in Dubai and Doha were shut, stranding thousands of passengers.
• Air India Express cancelled around 110 flights, with five aircraft stranded in the region.
• Indian aviation authorities placed airports on high alert for potential flight diversions and passenger support.

Detailed Insights:

• The airspace closures were triggered by a major attack on Iran by the U.S. and Israel, followed by retaliatory missile and drone launches.
• Several countries including Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Iraq, Oman and Syria also closed their airspace following Iran and Israel.
• Air India suspended flights to multiple destinations including Dammam, Sharjah, Riyadh, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Muscat, Tel Aviv, Bahrain, and Kuwait City.
• Akasa Air suspended all flights to Abu Dhabi, Doha and Jeddah due to the airspace restrictions.
• The Civil Aviation Ministry is coordinating with airport authorities to manage flight diversions, ground handling, and passenger needs.
• The situation highlights the vulnerability of international air travel to geopolitical instability and regional conflicts.

Key Concepts Involved:

• DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation): India's aviation safety regulator responsible for setting and enforcing aviation regulations.
• Airspace Closure: A temporary restriction on air traffic within a defined area, usually due to security concerns or emergencies.
• Flight Diversion: The act of redirecting a flight to an airport other than its originally intended destination.