Middle East escalation disrupts global aviation; Maharashtra residents stranded in UAE
The ongoing military escalation in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran has severely disrupted global aviation, with 116 flights cancelled at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday alone. The closure of airspace across the Gulf region has cut key east-west flight corridors, leaving passengers stranded and airlines scrambling to adjust schedules.
Airlines operating through major Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have suspended or drastically reduced operations as airspace restrictions remain in force. The ripple effects have been strongly felt in India, particularly in Mumbai, a key international gateway.
Mumbai airport sees mass cancellations
According to airport officials, of the 116 flights cancelled on Monday, 55 were departures and 61 were arrivals. A day earlier, more than 125 flights were called off — including 67 departures and 58 arrivals — as carriers rerouted aircraft and avoided Gulf airspace until further notice.
Major Indian carriers including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have introduced flexible booking policies, allowing affected passengers to reschedule flights or seek refunds without additional charges.
Maharashtra residents stranded abroad
The disruptions have left several Maharashtra residents stranded in the United Arab Emirates. Authorities confirmed that 84 students from Pune and 23 people from Thane remain stuck in Dubai, along with a small group of travellers on a religious pilgrimage.
In addition, travellers from Raigad and Navi Mumbai have been unable to secure flights back to India after airlines suspended services to and from UAE cities due to security concerns arising from the conflict.
Affected passengers have contacted the Maharashtra government and the Indian Embassy in the UAE, which have issued helpline numbers and are coordinating assistance. Officials have advised stranded citizens to register their details for prioritisation on repatriation or alternative flights.
Chaos and confusion at airports
Across Indian airports, passengers faced long queues, last-minute cancellations and uncertainty over revised schedules. Many travellers connecting via Gulf hubs to Europe, North America and Africa were forced to rebook on longer or more expensive routes.
Sadiq Khan, stranded at Mumbai airport with his family, said:
“We were in Mumbai for a wedding. We have been waiting for hours with hopes that we can fly back to Dubai, but looks like it may take a few days for us to go back home. We don’t have a choice but to extend our stay here. It’s very stressful when something so unexpected and worrying happens.”
Some passengers reported confusion over alternate travel options, as limited flights out of the UAE continued to operate on tightly managed schedules while airlines struggled to reposition aircraft and crews.
Airspace closures continue
The closure of large parts of Gulf airspace — a vital link between Asia and the West — is expected to remain in place until the conflict stabilises. Industry observers say the scale of disruption is among the worst seen since the COVID-19 pandemic, given the high volume of flights that normally transit the region daily.
Authorities have urged travellers to monitor flight status directly with airlines and avoid heading to airports without confirmed departures, as the situation remains fluid and advisories continue to evolve.
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