Argus News - Bhubaneswar-Dubai Flight Cancelled Amid US-Iran Conflict

Bhubaneswar, Mar 2: The intensifying US and Iran conflict has triggered widespread airspace closures across West Asia and the Gulf, leading to massive flight cancellations and diversions globally.

Bhubaneswar airport director Prasanna Pradhan confirmed that the Bhubaneswar-Dubai flight scheduled for today was cancelled due to the war situation. “A decision on Wednesday’s flight will depend on Tuesday’s developments,” added Pradhan.

For the third consecutive day, airlines worldwide cancelled or rerouted hundreds of flights. Major transit hubs including Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi were shut for extended periods, forcing carriers to suspend services to Tel Aviv, Beirut, Tehran, Riyadh, and other destinations.

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Indian airlines were among the hardest hit outside West Asia. At New Delhi airport alone, 410 flights were cancelled on February 28, 350 on March 1, and at least 300 more were expected to be impacted on Monday. IndiGo recorded the highest number of cancellations among non-West Asian carriers.

Air India extended suspension of flights to and from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until 11.59 pm on March 2. With Iranian and Iraqi airspace closed, Air India said it was rerouting flights via Oman, southern Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, adding 30-40 minutes to Europe-bound journeys and raising operating costs.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has activated a Passenger Assistance Control Room to help stranded travellers. Global carriers including Air France, KLM, British Airways, Lufthansa, Singapore Airlines, Turkish Airlines, and Japan Airlines have also announced suspensions or reroutings.

Israeli strikes on Tehran targeting command centres and air defences were met with retaliatory missile attacks on Israeli territory and US bases in the Gulf, further heightening uncertainty and reinforcing fears of prolonged disruption.