- Air India has cancelled 28 international flights scheduled for March 1 due to Middle East airspace closures.
- Major routes to London, New York, and Toronto are affected, causing significant travel disruptions for long-haul passengers.
- Over 400 domestic flights in India are also impacted as aircraft and crews are displaced by regional instability.
(INDIA) — Air India has pulled 28 international flights from the schedule for Sunday, March 1, after widespread airspace closures and heightened security risks tied to the escalating situation in the Middle East. If you’re booked on Delhi–London or any Air India long-haul today, expect last-minute disruptions, longer re-routes, or an involuntary rebooking that could change your arrival time by hours.
The cancellations span Europe and North America, with knock-on effects across India’s domestic network as aircraft and crews end up out of position. India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation said 410 domestic carrier flights were cancelled on Feb. 28, and 444 were expected to be cancelled on March 1, tied to restrictions over Iran and parts of the Middle East.
For many travelers, the biggest immediate pain point is the loss of nonstop lift on high-demand corridors to the UK, Europe, and the U.S. These routes are also heavy with business travel, students, and families, where same-day timing often matters for connections, hotel check-ins, and immigration appointments.
Air India’s March 1 international cancellations, at a glance
| Region | What’s impacted | Examples included today |
|---|---|---|
| UK & Europe | Multiple Heathrow pairs plus several major European cities | Delhi–London (Heathrow), Mumbai–London (Heathrow), Amritsar–London (Gatwick), plus Amsterdam, Zurich, Paris, Frankfurt, and more |
| North America | Key U.S. and Canada services, including some via Europe | Delhi–New York (JFK), Mumbai–New York (JFK), Mumbai–Newark, Delhi–Chicago (via Vienna), Delhi–Toronto (via Vienna) |
London and other European routes: multiple pairs cancelled
Air India’s UK disruption is unusually broad because it hits several flight pairs on the same city-pair. The airline cancelled multiple Delhi–London (Heathrow) services, including AI161/AI162 and AI111/AI112, plus additional Heathrow pairs AI2017/AI2018 and AI2015/AI2016. Other UK routes affected include Mumbai–London (Heathrow) on AI129/AI128 and AI131/AI130, Amritsar–London (Gatwick) on AI169/AI170, and Bengaluru–London (Heathrow) on AI133/AI132.
Beyond the UK, Air India also cancelled a long list of Europe flying for March 1. That includes Delhi–Amsterdam (AI155/AI156), Delhi–Zurich (AI151/AI152), Delhi–Milan (AI137/AI138), Delhi–Vienna (AI153/AI154), and Delhi–Copenhagen (AI157/AI158). Frankfurt and Paris are also hit, including Delhi–Frankfurt (AI2025/AI2026 and AI2029/AI2030), Mumbai–Frankfurt (AI2027/AI2028), and Delhi–Paris (AI143/AI142 and AI147/AI148). Delhi–Birmingham (AI113/AI118) is cancelled as well.
For UK-bound travelers, this matters because London flights tend to be the “anchor” for onward connections on separate tickets. Think Edinburgh, Manchester, Dublin, or European low-cost add-ons from Heathrow or Gatwick.
North America: JFK, Newark, Chicago, and Toronto impacted
Air India’s March 1 cancellations also include marquee transatlantic services. Delhi–New York (JFK) is cancelled as AI101/AI102. Mumbai–New York (JFK) is cancelled as AI119/AI116, and Mumbai–Newark is cancelled as AI191/AI144.
Two routings that often catch travelers off guard are the “via Vienna” services. Delhi–Chicago (AI127/AI126) is cancelled, as are Delhi–Toronto (AI187/AI188 and AI189/AI190).
If you were counting on these flights for a same-day domestic connection in the U.S. or Canada, plan for misconnect risk. Even when you get rebooked, you may land late enough to force an overnight.
The wider domino effect: India, the Gulf hubs, and global connectivity
Air India’s disruption is only one slice of the regional shock. With restricted airspace over Iran and parts of the Middle East, carriers that normally bank on efficient routings face longer flight times or no workable path at all.
At the same time, major hubs like Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Doha have seen severe disruption. More than 1,000 flights were cancelled by major regional airlines, stranding hundreds of thousands of travelers. Those hubs are a key bridge between Europe, Africa, and Asia, so cancellations there spill into itineraries worldwide.
This is also where competitive context matters. Even if your ticket is on a different airline, your Plan B may still be broken. A reroute that normally goes via Doha or Dubai may not be available, or it may be oversold.
What Air India is telling passengers, and what to do next
Air India said the cancellations were made in the interest of the safety and security of guests and staff. The carrier is offering alternative options and rebooking support, and it will keep updating plans based on risk assessments.
⚠️ Heads Up: If you’re travelling on a UK visa timeline, protect your appointment slot. Rebooking can shift arrival dates enough to derail biometrics or passport collection windows.
Here’s what typically helps in an event like this:
- Check your ticket status before leaving for the airport, especially if you’re on Delhi–London or connecting to it. Airport check-in lines can be brutal on mass-cancellation days.
- Avoid separate-ticket connections today if you can. Rebook onto a single protected itinerary where possible.
- If you’re rebooked onto partner airlines, confirm baggage rules and terminal changes. They can differ sharply from Air India’s norms.
Miles and elite status: what to watch
If you booked through Air India’s Flying Returns, an involuntary reroute can change how miles post. Crediting is usually based on the operating carrier and fare class. Save your boarding passes and the updated e-ticket receipt.
If you’re chasing Star Alliance status credit, verify your new flight numbers and booking class. A last-minute swap can land you in a non-earning bucket, especially on discounted economy fares.
For award tickets, involuntary changes often give you more flexibility than a voluntary change. If your routing becomes messy, ask for a same-cabin reroute that still works for your trip.
For March 1 travel, the most practical move is to lock in a confirmed rebooking before you head to the airport, and build in an overnight buffer if you’re connecting onward in the UK, U.S., or Canada.
