Last night, out of ample precaution, the Qatari Airspace was shut, after Iran warned them that they would attack, and wanted to minimise casualties. Subsequently, we saw the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait shutting down and reopening their airspace as well, all in the span of a night.

Since the Middle East is an important part of operations for Indian carriers, for its own O&D market, as well as a transit point into Central Asia, Europe and The Americas, it affected operations of Indian carriers a lot. Here is what their response was to the situation.

IndiGo is restarting flights to the Middle East

As per IndiGo at 12:30 AM IST last night, their flight arrivals and departures from Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, Dammam, Abu Dhabi, Kuwait, Ras AI-Khaimah and Tbilisi were impacted.

At the moment, IndiGo has claimed that operations are reopening. Their statement read,

As airports across the Middle East gradually reopen, we are prudently and progressively resuming operations on these routes.

Travel Advisory

As airports across the Middle East gradually reopen, we are prudently and progressively resuming operations on these routes.

We continue to monitor the situation closely and are fully considering the safest available flight paths to ensure secure and seamless…

— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) June 24, 2025

Air India has shut flights to East Coast of North America and Europe for the foreseeable future

Air India had to take a wider stance on the issue, given they actively use the airspace for their Europe and North American flights, now that the Pakistani Airspace is no longer available. In a late night memo to pilots, the airline said they were not going to operate any flights that used the “Gulf” Airspace for 24 hours. However, in a statement made by the airline later, it said,

Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect, until further notice. Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins and others are being diverted back to India or re-routed away from the closed airspaces. We request the understanding of all passengers who may be affected by this disruption that’s beyond an airline’s control. Air India is in continuous consultation with its external security advisors and is vigilantly monitoring the evolving situation. We will keep our passengers informed of any updates. The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our number one priority.

Here is Air India’s JFK-DEL flight, which went back to JFK a short while after departure, via FlightRadar24.

Air India’s departures from JFK, Newark, Chicago are all showing cancelled for a day or two ahead.

Air India Express stops Middle East Operations for now

Air India Express had to do a diversion and bring a flight back in the initial moment of the airspace closure. Their statement said,

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.

However, a bit later, they closed out flight operations for the foreseeable future altogether.

In view of the evolving situation and the closure of certain airspaces in the Middle East, Air India Express has temporarily suspended flights to the region.

No operations for Air India Express in the Middle East exist as of writing this article.

Akasa Air and SpiceJet, too, said their flights to and from the Middle East region remain affected. Although both the SpiceJet flights were operated to Mumbai and Delhi from Dubai.

Bottomline

Indian carriers have been affected with the Middle East disturbances last night. Due to this, Air India and Air India Express are seeing suspension of operations, IndiGo is now trying to open up flight operations again, and other airlines are running operations but delayed, to the Middle East. Let’s hope this is behind us now.

What do you think is the best approach for Indian carriers in this situation?

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