Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei Killed
The Ministry of Civil Aviation on Sunday announced the cancellation of over flights as escalating tensions in West Asia disrupted air traffic and triggered widespread operational uncertainty.
The decision came amid cascading global flight suspensions after large portions of Middle Eastern airspace were abruptly closed, severely impacting international travel routes connecting India with Europe and North America.
The crisis unfolded after a major attack led to the shutdown of key air corridors stretching from the UAE to Israel, effectively paralysing one of the world’s busiest east–west aviation routes. Dubai — a crucial transit hub for Indian travellers — was among the airports hit by the sweeping restrictions. Indian airlines suspended services to the region until March 2, leaving thousands of passengers stranded at airports as flight schedules collapsed.
The geopolitical shock intensified following the death of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. His passing, under volatile circumstances, has added a new layer of uncertainty to an already fragile region. Khamenei, who had been Iran’s most powerful political and religious authority for over three decades, played a central role in shaping Tehran’s strategic posture in the Middle East. His death has triggered fears of internal instability and heightened military tensions.
Global markets and governments are closely watching developments in Tehran, as leadership transitions in Iran carry significant implications for regional security, oil supply routes, and diplomatic alignments. Aviation regulators swiftly flagged elevated risks to civil aircraft operations, particularly in conflict-prone airspace corridors frequently used by long-haul international flights.
According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, nearly 900 flights operated by Middle Eastern carriers were cancelled on Saturday alone. Major airlines including Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad were among those most affected. Indian carriers also faced operational hurdles, with aircraft and crew stranded at multiple overseas locations. Air India initiated efforts to bring back staff stationed in Tel Aviv after Israeli airspace was shut.
The fallout was immediately visible at Indian airports. Mumbai airport reported 57 cancellations by Saturday evening — 24 arrivals and 33 departures — including an IndiGo service bound for London. Airfares surged sharply amid the sudden capacity crunch, with one-way direct tickets to London for March 1 selling for as high as Rs 1.4 lakh.
Air India cancelled several long-haul departures scheduled for Sunday from Delhi, Mumbai and Amritsar to destinations such as London, New York, Newark, Chicago, Toronto, Frankfurt and Paris. The airline said affected passengers are being notified and offered alternate travel arrangements. IndiGo suspended operations to and from West Asia and select overseas routes through March 1, while Emirates temporarily halted services to and from Dubai.
Airlines also cautioned pilots about intensified GPS spoofing and signal jamming near conflict zones. For Indian carriers, airspace west of Pakistan extending toward Iraq became effectively inaccessible. IndiGo’s CIS sector routes were disrupted, and Air India sought permission to reroute via China’s Hotan waypoint to bypass Pakistani airspace, though approval remained pending.
Operational strain mounted through the day. An Air India Delhi–Tel Aviv flight was forced to return mid-air after Israeli airspace was declared closed. Another Air India service from Chicago to Delhi rerouted to avoid Iraqi skies. Indian airports were placed on high alert for emergency diversions and unscheduled landings, but infrastructure constraints soon emerged. Mumbai airport stopped accepting additional diversions once parking bays reached capacity.
With geopolitical uncertainty persisting after Khamenei’s death and aviation advisories remaining in force, airlines are bracing for continued disruption in one of the world’s most critical air travel corridors.
Also Read: Indian Nationals In Iran Cautioned After Coordinated US, Israel Strike https://www.vibesofindia.com/indian-nationals-in-iran-cautioned-after-coordinated-us-israel-strike/
