Akasa Air Cancels 20 Flights, Disrupting Travel Across India and Gulf Regions

(INDIA) Akasa Air canceled twenty flights on Friday, September 5, 2025, across key domestic and international routes, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers in India, Saudi Arabia, Bangladesh, and the wider Gulf region. The airline cited a mix of severe weather and temporary airspace restrictions as the main causes.

The cancellations were part of a broader regional squeeze on flight operations that also affected Air India and SpiceJet, bringing total same-day flight cancellations across India and the UAE to at least 40. Akasa Air said it has begun gradually resuming Middle East services as Gulf airspace rules ease.

The airline urged travelers to check their flight status before leaving for the airport and directed affected customers to its 24×7 Akasa Care Centre at +91 9606 112131. Real-time updates are available through the official flight status portal at Akasa Air flight status. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the cluster of flight cancellations underscores how fast-changing Gulf airspace conditions can ripple across South Asian networks, especially for carriers expanding their international reach.

Operational disruption and causes

Akasa Air confirmed that 20 flights were canceled on September 5, 2025, affecting both domestic sectors and international services touching Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh.

Air India and SpiceJet also canceled flights on the same day, contributing to a region-wide total of at least 40 flight cancellations. Aviation analysts pointed to two overlapping triggers:

• Rough weather patterns
• Airspace restrictions linked to heightened tensions between Iran and Israel earlier in the week

Those restrictions affected Qatari and nearby Gulf airspaces, forcing airlines to reroute or ground aircraft. While Akasa Air has started restoring services to the Middle East, the airline warned that schedules may shift through the recovery phase.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) have been tracking the situation and coordinating with carriers to stabilize operations. Akasa Air CEO Vinay Dube emphasized that safety remains the top priority, and the company has boosted customer support to help travelers manage changes.

Wider impacts and vulnerable travellers

For migrants, students, and workers with tight visa timelines, the impact is immediate. Missed connections can lead to:

• Late entries or overstays
• Lost appointments at visa centers
• Job complications for workers with reporting dates

Families traveling with short entry windows may need to show proof of delay to immigration officers on arrival. These ripple effects are not limited to one airline — when airspace shuts down, options shrink for everyone.

Passenger guidance and rights

Akasa Air’s standard policy states that canceling within two hours of departure usually leads to full fare forfeiture. However, during large-scale disruptions the airline has previously waived change fees and offered full refunds.

Affected travelers should take these steps:

1. Check live status via the official portal: Akasa Air flight status.
2. Use “Manage Booking” on the Akasa website or app to request a refund or a free rebooking (subject to seat availability).
3. For urgent help, call the Akasa Care Centre: +91 9606 112131 (24×7).
4. Keep boarding passes, cancellation notices, and any written messages from the airline — these documents help with refund claims, insurance, employer notices, and visa explanations.

India’s DGCA publishes passenger rights, including compensation and care duties during cancellations and delays. Travelers can review official guidance on refunds, meals, and rebooking on the DGCA’s Air Passenger Charter at the DGCA official site. This resource helps passengers understand what airlines must provide when flights are canceled or heavily delayed, especially when causes relate to weather or airspace closures.

Immigration and onward-travel considerations

International travelers should consider these points:

• Visa validity: If your visa or entry permit expires soon, contact the destination airline desk to request the earliest available rebooking. Ask the airline to note your visa deadline in your record.
• Entry rules: For countries that require a return or onward ticket, ensure the reissued itinerary still meets that rule. Print or download updated e-tickets before you arrive at immigration.
• Transit times: If you lost a protected connection, ask for rebooking on the next available flight and request a written confirmation that the missed connection was due to airline or airspace issues.
• Residence permits: Workers and students returning to their host country should carry proof of residence status, employer or school letters, and any reissued e-visa PDFs to ease questions at the border after delays.

On-the-ground assistance and airline response

Akasa Air said it has increased staffing at contact centers and airport help desks. On the ground, airline staff are providing rebooking support and guiding travelers to alternate routes where seats are open.

The airline has told customers that services are ramping back up as Gulf airspace clears, but specific timings depend on:

• Crew duty rules
• Aircraft rotations
• Airport slot approvals

Industry observers note that the shutdowns show how fragile cross-border schedules can be when several factors collide — weather, geopolitics, and air traffic control restrictions. For a young airline that launched in August 2022 and now flies 23 domestic and at least 6 international destinations, the challenge is to restore confidence fast while keeping expansion plans on track. The company operates 30 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft and has signaled continued growth, including deeper partnerships and more international routes later in 2025.

Practical advice for passengers mid-journey

For families caught mid-journey — parents traveling with children on short tourist visas, pilgrims heading to Gulf hubs, or others — the immediate goal is clear communication and quick rebooking. Ask the airline to provide:

• A written disruption notice with the date and reason (weather/airspace)
• A confirmed alternate itinerary or waitlist status
• Details on meal vouchers, hotels, or ground transfers if an overnight stay becomes necessary

If your plans no longer make sense, request a refund. During mass cancellations, airlines often relax rules. Keep receipts for extra costs like food or lodging; some travel insurance policies cover these expenses if you submit proof of cancellation and delay length.

Important: Keep all paperwork (boarding passes, cancellation notices, receipts, and written confirmations) — they are essential for refunds, insurance claims, employer notices, and immigration explanations.

Outlook and next steps

Airlines across the region took a cautious approach on September 5, 2025, balancing safety with the need to keep people moving. According to Akasa Air, gradual resumption in the Middle East is underway following the easing of restrictions.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation and DGCA are reviewing contingency plans and may consider new guidance on passenger communication and compensation practices after large-scale disruptions.

For now, the best steps for affected travelers are simple:

• Confirm your flight status
• Keep your records
• Act early on refunds or rebookings
• Plan for flexible connections in the coming days

With operations stabilizing, most passengers should see options improve quickly — provided weather patterns hold and airspace remains open.