Air India cancels 50 international flights amid Middle East crisis

Air India has cancelled 22 more international services for Sunday taking the total number of overseas flight cancellations announced so far to 50 due to the Middle East crisisIndian airlines are expected to cancel 444 international flights on March 1 due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East according to the Civil Aviation MinistryThe Tata Groupowned airline on Sunday said close monitoring and careful assessment of the evolving situation in the Middle East have necessitated further curtailment of its scheduled operationsldquoAs part of our continuing assessment of the evolving situation in the Middle East in the interest of the safety and security of our guests and staff Air India has cancelled the following flights scheduled on 01 March 2026bullAI161AI162 and AI111AI112 DelhiLondonhellipmdash Air India Newsroom AirIndia_News February 28 2026Flights to and from MumbaiLondon AI131 AI130 Delhi Birmingham AI113 AI118 DelhiAmsterdam AI155 AI156 DelhiZurich AI151 AI152 DelhiMilan AI137 AI138 DelhiVienna AI153 AI154 and BengaluruLondon Heathrow AI133 AI132 have been cancelled for the dayOther cancelled flights are AI157 AI158 on the DelhiCopenhagen AI2017 AI2018 and AI2015AI2016 on the DelhiLondon Heathrow as well as AI2029 AI2030 on the DelhiFrankfurt routes the airline said in a post on XOn Saturday Air India announced the cancellation of 28 overseas flights on various routes for SundayAviation regulator DGCA is closely coordinating with airlines to ensure full compliance with safety and operational regulationsThere were no specific updates on international operations from IndiGo on SundayThe conflict between Israel and the US and Iran has also resulted in multiple airspace closures in the Middle East massively disrupting flight operationsIndia assures visa relief to stranded foreign travellersMeanwhile in view of flight cancellations following the escalating security situation in the Middle East India on Sunday asked foreign nationals in the country to approach relevant authorities for visa extensionsThe Ministry of External Affairs MEA issued an advisory for foreign nationals impacted by the travel disruptionsThe MEA urged foreign nationals to contact their nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office FRRO if they require assistance with visa extensions or need to regularise their stayAll foreign nationals in India who have had to change their travel plans due to the ongoing developments in the West Asia region and need assistance with extension of their visa or to regularise their stay are requested to contact the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office it saidThe MEA said the FRROs concerned will extend assistance It is not immediately clear how many foreign tourists are stranded in India due to the flight cancellationsWith inputs from Agencies