Air India Suspends International Flights Amid Escalating Middle East Conflict

Air India has suspended flights across multiple international routes as the intensifying conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States disrupts global air traffic. 

The airline announced that all services to Europe, the U.S. East Coast, and the Middle East are halted, with some ongoing flights diverted or forced to return mid-route.

The decision comes amid heightened tensions following a chain of military escalations that began with Israel’s airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites on June 13. 

Image Source: Aviationbrk on X

In retaliation, Iran launched waves of missile and drone strikes on Israeli targets. 

The United States subsequently entered the conflict with direct airstrikes on Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, further deepening the crisis.

Iran's recent missile strike on a U.S. military base in Qatar temporarily led several Gulf nations, including Qatar and the UAE, to close their airspace. 

While major regional carriers such as Emirates and Qatar Airways have since resumed operations, the security situation remains volatile.

The ongoing conflict has also triggered extensive evacuation operations. India’s Operation Sindhu has so far evacuated 2,295 Indian nationals from Iran, with additional flights scheduled as airspace closures and shifting combat zones continue to complicate evacuation efforts.

Air India’s operations are particularly vulnerable due to its flight paths over Middle Eastern air corridors. According to Bloomberg News, the suspension affects nearly 30% of its deployed capacity based on Cirium aviation data. 

The airline is also contending with the aftermath of a recent fatal crash that killed at least 241 people, marking the world’s worst aviation disaster in over a decade.

India’s largest private carrier, IndiGo, has also warned passengers of possible disruptions on its Middle East routes as the situation evolves. 

Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced what he described as a “complete and total” ceasefire between Iran and Israel, though tensions across the region remain elevated.