Air India Halts Flights to Middle East, Europe, and North America Amid Rising Tensions
On Tuesday morning, Air India issued a statement confirming that it had immediately halted operations to the Middle East, along with flights to key cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
New Delhi: June 24, 2025
As tensions escalate in the Middle East, Air India has taken the drastic step of suspending all flights to the region and even further a field affecting routes across Europe and North America. The move comes in the wake of Iran’s retaliatory missile attacks on U.S. military bases, including the Al Udeid airbase in Qatar, which has sent shockwaves through global aviation routes.
For passengers, it means chaos: cancelled flights, sudden diversions, and a lot of uncertainty.
On Tuesday morning, Air India issued a statement confirming that it had immediately halted operations to the Middle East, along with flights to key cities in the U.S., Canada, and Europe.
“Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect,” the airline said.
Major cities like New York, Newark, Chicago, Washington, D.C., Toronto, and several locations throughout Europe have all seen their flights suspended. The move has left hundreds of travelers in limbo both abroad and at Indian airports.
Iran’s missile strikes which followed rising tensions with Israel have prompted several countries, including Qatar, to shut down their airspace. That’s left airlines scrambling to find new flight paths or cancel routes altogether.
Air India says all incoming flights from North America are either turning back or being diverted to avoid conflict zones.
“Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins, and others are being rerouted safely,” the airline explained.
Budget carrier Air India Express isn’t spared either. A Doha-bound flight from Kochi was diverted to Muscat due to airspace restrictions, while another flight from Kannur was forced to return mid-flight. Air India Express, which runs 25 direct services weekly to Doha from cities like Kozhikode and Tiruchchirappalli, has suspended these routes until further notice. With confusion mounting, Air India is urging travelers to stay calm.
“We understand this is frustrating and deeply inconvenient for our passengers,” a spokesperson said. “But this is a situation beyond our control, and we’re doing everything possible to ensure safety.”
The airline added that it’s in constant touch with security experts and will update passengers as things unfold. Air India reiterated that the well-being and security of its passengers come before all else.
“The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our number one concern,” the statement said.
For now, the skies over the Middle East remain uncertain. With major air corridors shut and no resolution to the conflict in sight, passengers are advised to check with their airlines before making travel plans — and brace for more disruptions in the days ahead.
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