Air travel across West Asia remained severely disrupted on 8 March as the ongoing United States–Israel–Iran conflict forced widespread airspace closures, grounding hundreds of flights and leaving thousands of passengers stranded across major regional hubs. Authorities confirmed that more than 52,000 Indians have already returned to the country in the past week, while airlines and travel service providers are scrambling to bring back those still stuck abroad.
Travel service provider EaseMyTrip announced plans to operate charter flights from Doha in Qatar and Bahrain to Delhi and Mumbai following requests from travellers seeking urgent return to India. In a statement, the company said the flights are being arranged in response to growing demand from passengers caught in the crisis.
EaseMyTrip urged travellers requiring immediate evacuation to complete a registration form to secure seats. The company also advised Indians in the region to join its travel assistance channel for timely alerts, embassy contacts and safety guidance.
Massive Flight Disruptions Across West Asia
The conflict has severely disrupted aviation networks across Bahrain, Dubai, Kuwait and Qatar, where flights have been affected since 28 February due to airspace restrictions and security concerns.
Authorities reported loud explosions in several locations, including Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Qatar, following earlier incidents in Dubai and Bahrain’s capital, Manama. Dubai temporarily shut its airport after authorities said an unidentified object had been intercepted nearby, further intensifying travel disruptions.
The ripple effects have been felt across major Indian airports as well. At least 100 international flights were cancelled at Delhi and Mumbai airports on Saturday alone. Mumbai recorded 35 departures and 36 arrivals cancelled, while Delhi saw 22 departures and 17 arrivals called off.
Mumbai airport also reported 66 cancelled air traffic movements on Sunday, consisting of 32 arrivals and 34 departures.
The Civil Aviation Ministry said 49 flights were scheduled to operate between West Asia and India on 8 March by Indian domestic carriers. However, as many as 279 flights planned for the day had to be cancelled due to the continuing regional crisis.
Passengers have reported severe hardship as the disruption continues. One traveller heading for Umrah said his family’s flight scheduled for 1 March had been repeatedly rescheduled because of the situation. Another passenger from Chapra said his Dubai flight was cancelled late at night, forcing him to sleep on the airport floor without proper food or accommodation.
Airlines Launch Emergency Operations
Airlines have begun deploying additional services to manage the crisis and bring stranded travellers back home.
Air India announced plans to operate more than 30 additional flights on 8 March connecting Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah with India to assist stranded passengers.
The airline has also allowed travellers stuck in the United Arab Emirates to rebook cancelled Air India Express flights from any airport in the country to any destination in India without additional charges.
IndiGo has resumed services to Europe and continues operations from eight destinations in West Asia, including Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Jeddah, Medina, Muscat and Sharjah, as airlines gradually attempt to restore limited connectivity.
Aviation Industry Faces Rising Fuel Costs
The conflict has also triggered a sharp rise in aviation fuel prices, adding pressure on airlines already struggling with disrupted routes. Jet fuel prices in the United States have risen by around 15 per cent in the past week and have more than doubled since the beginning of the year.
Financial analysts have warned that the surge could significantly increase operating costs for airlines worldwide. A recent report by Deutsche Bank noted that a similar expansion in the gap between crude oil and jet fuel prices in 2005 caused severe financial damage across the airline industry and forced several carriers into bankruptcy.
Indian Embassy Collecting Data on Stranded Travellers
The Indian Embassy in Doha has asked stranded Indian tourists and short term visitors holding Hayya A1 visas to submit their details through an online form to help authorities assess the number of people affected by flight cancellations.
Officials clarified that the form is meant only for Indian nationals who are not residents of Qatar but are currently stuck in the country due to flight disruptions between 28 February and 7 March.
Over 52,000 Indians Already Returned
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, more than 52,000 Indians who were travelling or transiting in Middle Eastern countries have returned to India between 1 and 7 March.
Of these, 32,107 passengers travelled on Indian carriers. The ministry said more flights are being planned in the coming days to assist those still stranded across the region.
Meanwhile, more than 500 people from Andhra Pradesh who were stuck in West Asia have already returned home with assistance from community organisations that helped coordinate travel arrangements.
Authorities have advised travellers to closely monitor airline communications and flight updates before heading to airports, as the volatile security situation in West Asia continues to affect global aviation routes. With airspace restrictions still in place and tensions in the region showing little sign of easing, disruptions to international travel are expected to persist in the coming days.