Iran-Israel Travel Mayhem: 4 Etihad flights land India from Abu Dhabi; Air India resumes US Europe as 1117 cancellations hit amid Iran war air chaos.
1117 India International Flights Axed Since Strikes – Etihad Emirates IndiGo Air India Express Ferry Stranded Passengers from Dubai Abu Dhabi Jeddah (Image: File)
NEW DELHI, March 3: Relief flights pierced the West Asia air lockdown Monday as four Etihad jets from Abu Dhabi touched down in Indian cities, bringing home stranded passengers after U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran grounded global aviation. The carriers flew limited routes from Dubai and Abu Dhabi while Air India restarted U.S., Canada, Europe, and UK services, easing pain for thousands caught in the crisis. Indian airlines scrapped 357 international flights Monday alone, adding to 1,117 cancellations since February 28.
Etihad sent 15 flights from Zayed International Airport, with four landing in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Kochi by evening. Passenger Shashi Parmar hugged family at Delhi's arrivals after two tense days stranded with her son and daughter-in-law. Emirates prepped overnight runs to five Indian cities, prioritizing UAE nationals and residents like Bengaluru's EK 568. FlyDubai added four outbound and five inbound flights from Dubai. IndiGo scheduled 10 special Jeddah flights Tuesday to Hyderabad, Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad, coordinating with India's Jeddah consulate. Union Minister Pralhad Joshi assured evacuations for Indians stuck in the Gulf.
Air India Express restarts Muscat flights Tuesday to Delhi, Kochi, Kozhikode, Mangaluru, Mumbai, and Tiruchirappalli, while holding Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi, and UAE ops. Air India's West Asia runs stay paused, but long-haul to Birmingham, Copenhagen, Zurich, and beyond fired up. Saudi and Muscat airspace opened their Flight Information Regions, though Iran and Israel skies remain sealed. Qatar Airways suspended Doha flights due to closed airspace. A 2025 IATA report pegged Middle East at 39.2% of India's international traffic—14.9 million passengers last year.
The ministry tallied 410 cancellations Saturday, 350 Sunday, and 357 Monday, stranding hundreds of thousands globally. Etihad runs repositioning, cargo, and repatriation under UAE approvals. Government demands clear refunds, rescheduling, and aid from airlines. Emirates limits seats to early bookers. Some UAE strandees eye boats to Mumbai or land routes to Oman. Air travel chokes worldwide, but India's Gulf lifeline flickers back.
Regional Airspace Disruption – Operational Update
— Etihad Airways (@etihad) March 2, 2026
All Etihad’s scheduled commercial flights to and from Abu Dhabi remain suspended until 14:00 UAE time on Wednesday 4 March.
Some repositioning, cargo and repatriation flights may operate in coordination with UAE authorities and…
A: At least 15, with four landing in India at Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Kochi.
A: 1,117 flights from February 28 through Monday.
A: Air India Express to six Indian cities.
A: 10 special flights Tuesday to four Indian cities.
A: 39.2%, or 14.9 million passengers in 2024 per IATA.
Disclaimer: This information is based on inputs from news agency reports. TSG does not independently confirm the information provided by the relevant sources.
