Amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, Air India has suspended all flights over the Gulf region following a missile strike by Iran on the US air base in Doha, Qatar. The national carrier also halted operations to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe, citing safety concerns due to the restricted airspace and regional instability.
In a late-night statement, Air India confirmed the cancellation of services and the redirection of several ongoing flights. Long-haul routes that typically traverse the Gulf airspace have been significantly impacted, forcing the airline to reroute or return flights to their origin points. Flights bound for India from North America are either diverting back or rerouting via alternate corridors.
Air India assured that it is working closely with external security advisors and aviation authorities to monitor the situation. "The safety and security of our passengers and staff remain our number one priority," the airline emphasized.
Air India Express, the airline’s budget arm, diverted a Kochi-Doha flight to Muscat and returned a flight scheduled from Kannur. The carrier operates 25 weekly flights to Doha and services multiple Indian cities directly and via one-stop connections. It also confirmed that no other Qatar-bound flights were currently en route.
Other Gulf nations including Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, and Iraq have also shut down their airspace indefinitely following the attack. Iran’s military claimed responsibility for a "devastating" missile strike on the Al Udeid airbase, responding to recent US airstrikes inside Iran. Explosions were reportedly heard across Doha after the strike.
Qatar condemned the assault, warning of a proportional response aligned with international law. Meanwhile, the White House and Pentagon are closely watching the developments for further threats to US personnel and facilities in the region. The rapidly deteriorating situation has raised global concerns about the safety of commercial aviation across the Middle East, forcing international carriers to re-evaluate routes and flight safety protocols.
