The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran has thrown international travel into chaos, with Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport witnessing the cancellation of 80 international flights on Tuesday alone. As the crisis enters its fourth day, over 1,500 Indian passengers have been repatriated from the Middle East through special operations conducted by Air India, IndiGo, and other carriers.
Mass Flight Disruptions Continue Across Major Airports
Delhi airport bore the brunt of the disruptions with 36 departures and 44 arrivals cancelled by Tuesday morning. An Emirates flight bound for Dubai (EK513) was forced to return to Delhi mid-journey due to airspace restrictions, while another Emirates flight (EK512) managed to land safely.
Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport reported even higher numbers, with 107 flights cancelled—54 arrivals and 53 departures—leaving hundreds of passengers stranded and complaining about inadequate facilities.
Affected routes include:
- Dubai-Delhi/Mumbai/Chennai/Bengaluru sectors
- Abu Dhabi-India routes
- Doha-India connections
- Sharjah-Coimbatore services
- Muscat-India flights
Stranded Indians Share Harrowing Experiences
Passengers returning from conflict zones described tense situations. One traveler arriving in Bengaluru from Abu Dhabi reported, "Explosions were taking place near our hotel. Missiles were being intercepted, and we could hear blasts all around. We are relieved to be back in India."
At Delhi's IGI Airport, emotional scenes unfolded as families reunited. A young woman broke down in tears upon arrival, while another family posed for selfies, their relief palpable after the ordeal.
Mohammad Adil, who arrived from Muscat, offered a contrasting perspective: "The situation in Oman is currently very good, with no problems. People are living together peacefully."
Government and Airlines Swing into Action
Air India Express has announced resumption of services to Muscat from today, while Etihad, Emirates, and flydubai have restarted select operations. Fifteen Etihad flights departed from Abu Dhabi for destinations including Islamabad, Paris, Amsterdam, Mumbai, Cairo, and London.
IndiGo is operating 10 special flights from Jeddah to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad. SpiceJet will operate four special flights from Fujairah to India, providing much-needed relief to stranded workers.
The Maharashtra government launched an emergency WhatsApp helpline for residents stranded in the Middle East, while the Indian Embassy in Doha issued advisories urging community members to follow official Qatari channels and step outside only if absolutely necessary.
PV Sindhu Among Those Repatriated
Indian badminton star PV Sindhu, who was stranded in Dubai, safely returned to Bengaluru. "Back home in Bangalore and safe," she tweeted, bringing relief to her fans and family.
Diplomatic Outreach Intensifies
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has held discussions with five world leaders in 48 hours, including conversations with Benjamin Netanyahu and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. He also spoke with the leaders of Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan, focusing on air strikes and the security of Indian nationals.
Domestic Protests and Political Reactions
Protests continued in Jammu and Kashmir for the second consecutive day following the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Markets remain shut in Srinagar, with security forces on high alert in Poonch, Bandipora, and other areas.
Congress leader Sonia Gandhi sharply criticized the Modi government, stating, "Silence over the targeted killing of Iran's Supreme Leader is not neutrality but surrender," demanding a parliamentary debate on the breakdown of international order.
What Passengers Need to Know
- CBSE exams scheduled for March 5-6 in the Middle East region have been postponed
- Qatar Airways operations remain suspended until airspace safely reopens
- Shipping Directorate monitoring Gulf security after four incidents involving Indian seafarers
- Passengers advised to contact airlines directly and avoid unnecessary airport travel
With nearly 9 million Indians residing in Gulf Cooperation Council countries, authorities are working round-the-clock to ensure safe repatriation as the geopolitical situation remains fluid.
