India’s two largest private airlines, Air India and IndiGo, have temporarily suspended all flights to Middle Eastern destinations following the military strikes launched by the United States and Israel against Iran.
Air India announced the suspension in a statement posted on social media platform X, citing the rapidly evolving security situation across parts of the Middle East.
“In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the region have been suspended,” the airline said.
IndiGo also confirmed a temporary suspension of its Middle East operations, stressing that passenger and crew safety remained the top priority.
“Our teams are continuously monitoring the evolving situation and recalibrating operations to minimise disruption as much as possible,” the carrier added.
The decision is significant given the strategic and economic importance of the region to India, which maintains deep commercial and energy ties with Gulf nations that host large Indian expatriate communities.
The developments come shortly after Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi completed a high-profile visit to Israel, where the two sides discussed expanding trade and defence cooperation.
During his visit, Modi addressed Israeli lawmakers and reiterated India’s position following the Hamas attack on Israel – October 7, 2023, stating that New Delhi stands firmly with Israel.
India maintains a delicate diplomatic balance in the region, preserving strong ties with both Israel and Iran.
The country is involved in developing Iran’s Chabahar Port, a key trade corridor linking India to Afghanistan, where it also engages with the Taliban-led authorities.
India’s foreign ministry estimates that approximately 10,000 Indian citizens typically reside in Iran, highlighting concerns over the safety of nationals amid the escalating conflict.
The flight suspensions reflect growing global anxiety as tensions in the Middle East continue to disrupt international travel, trade, and energy markets.
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