Air India Suspends Flights to US, Canada & Europe Amid Middle East Airspace Closures

Air India has temporarily suspended flights to North America (New York, Newark, Chicago, Washington), Toronto, and major European cities. The decision follows Middle Eastern airspace closures—including Qatar, UAE, Bahrain, and Kuwait—triggered by Iran’s missile strike on a US base in Qatar.

Impact on Global Routes

These disruptions hit hard because Air India’s long-haul flights typically fly over the Middle East. With key hubs like Doha, Dubai, and Abu Dhabi now inaccessible, the airline has suspended targeted routes until geopolitical stability returns.

Affected carriers now include:

• Air India Express has cancelled all flights to Qatar after diverting services to Doha-bound flights from Kochi and Kannur.

• IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Akasa Air, which have issued advisories due to likely delays on Gulf routes
  
  

Airlines in Response Mode

Air India and other airlines are actively:

• redirecting inbound flights to origin airports or alternate routes

• engaging security experts and aviation authorities to monitor developments, assisting affected passengers with rebooking, refunds, and accommodations,

• frequently updating via official channels to minimise uncertainty.

Wider Aviation Repercussions

• Global rerouting has already slowed traffic in and out of Doha and Dubai—“ghost skies” over the Persian Gulf are now common.

• Airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, Etihad, BA, Singapore Airlines, and British Airways have also rerouted or suspended services.
  
  

   B2B Travel Professional Takeaways

• Monitor Flight Statuses: Regularly check affected routes, especially between India and Europe/North America.

• Proactive Rebooking: Reach out to clients early and explore alternative transit hubs or routes.

• Communicate Clearly: Use airline advisories and ETAs to manage reservations and expectations.

• Risk Programming: Incorporate geopolitical airspace monitoring into operational planning, especially for Gulf connections.
  
  

 Looking Ahead

The suspension will stay in place until the airspace reopens, but no timeline has been shared. Be prepared for dynamic routing changes, increased flight durations, and potential cost and itinerary shifts. Aviation stakeholders must remain agile and safety-first.

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