Mumbai faced massive travel disruption on Monday after several international flights to Gulf and Middle East destinations were abruptly cancelled due to the escalating conflict in West Asia. Hundreds of passengers were left stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, with many waiting for hours — and in some cases more than a day — without confirmation of their revised departure schedules.
Airport terminals witnessed long queues, anxious families, and confused travellers seeking clarity from airline counters as uncertainty over regional airspace safety forced carriers to suspend operations on key international routes.
Airlines Suspend Key Middle East Routes
Multiple major airlines either cancelled or temporarily halted services to destinations across the Gulf region. According to airport officials, affected carriers included Air India, IndiGo, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Akasa Air. Flights connecting Mumbai to Kuwait, Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi and other Middle Eastern cities were among the worst affected.
Air India officially announced suspension of its flights operating to and via several Middle East destinations until further notice, citing passenger safety and airspace advisories. IndiGo confirmed that over 200 of its flights have been cancelled up to March 3 and advised travellers to regularly check updated schedules on its website.
Passengers Left in Limbo
Among those stranded were migrant workers heading back to Gulf countries for employment, non-resident Indians returning to their workplaces, foreign tourists attempting to leave India, and business travellers caught mid-journey.
One passenger travelling to Kuwait said he had been waiting at the airport since Sunday afternoon without any clear communication about departure timing. Several travellers reported spending the night inside the terminal due to lack of alternative arrangements. Complaints about limited updates, accommodation difficulties, and rising personal expenses were common among those affected.
Families with children and elderly passengers were seen resting on terminal floors as airline staff struggled to manage the surge of enquiries.
Conflict Escalation Triggers Aviation Crisis
The flight cancellations come as military tensions in West Asia intensified sharply over the weekend. Reports of fresh airstrikes in Tehran and missile launches targeting Israeli and Gulf locations have raised serious security concerns. With parts of regional airspace either restricted or declared unsafe, aviation authorities issued advisories prompting airlines to reroute or suspend services.
Industry experts say even limited airspace closures in the Middle East can severely impact long-haul routes connecting India to Europe and North America, as many flights pass through Gulf corridors.
Uncertainty Continues
Authorities and airline operators are closely monitoring developments before resuming normal operations. However, with the regional security situation still unstable, further delays and cancellations cannot be ruled out.
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