Air India suspends Delhi‑London, NYC and Toronto flights amid Middle East airspace restrictions

Air India cancelled a number of long-haul international flights on 01 March 2026 as airspace restrictions across the Middle East persist in the wake of the Israel-US attack on Iran. The airline said the decision was driven by ongoing risk assessments and is part of its effort to ensure the safety and security of guests and staff. The affected services include major routes such as AI161/AI162 and AI111/AI112: Delhi-London and London-Delhi; AI129/AI128: Mumbai-London and London-Mumbai; AI169/AI170: Amritsar-London and London-Amritsar; AI101/AI102: Delhi-New York and New York-Delhi; AI119/AI116: Mumbai-New York and New York-Mumbai; AI191/AI144: Mumbai-Newark and Newark-Mumbai; AI127/AI126: Delhi-Chicago via Vienna; AI187/AI188, AI189, and AI190: Delhi-Toronto via Vienna; AI2025/AI2026: Delhi-Frankfurt and Frankfurt-Delhi; AI2027/AI2028: Mumbai-Frankfurt and Frankfurt-Mumbai; AI143/AI142 and AI147/AI148: Delhi-Paris and Paris-Delhi. The carrier is informing affected passengers and arranging alternatives, stressing regret for the inconvenience while continuing to assess the evolving situation.

The cancellations come as Gulf airspace closures and restrictions in the Middle East ripple through travel plans, with aviation authorities noting hundreds of additional flights affected. In related context, projections indicate about 410 domestic flights were cancelled on 28 February due to the same airspace restrictions, with more cancellations anticipated. The disruption is also expected to impact earnings for major Indian carriers like Air India and IndiGo, given more than 800 flights across domestic networks cancelled through early March due to the combined effect of Gulf airspace closures and regional restrictions.

Travelers are advised to monitor official updates, check flight status, and consult the airline for rebooking options or refunds as the situation remains fluid. Airlines worldwide are adjusting schedules as risk assessments and security considerations guide responses to regional airspace restrictions.

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