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West Asia tensions disrupt Mumbai air travel, 676 flights cancelled in a week

The cancellations included 344 arriving flights and 332 departures, affecting services connecting Mumbai with major Gulf hubs.

A group of passengers is stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport terminal 2 as their flights to different places in the Middle East are cancelled due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, in Mumbai on Sunday. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)A group of passengers stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport terminal 2 as their flights to different places in the Middle East are cancelled due to the ongoing Iran-Israel conflict, in Mumbai on Sunday. (Express photo by Sankhadeep Banerjee)

Flight operations between Mumbai and several Middle East destinations saw major disruption over the past week, with 676 flights cancelled at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport between February 28 and March 6 following airspace restrictions linked to escalating tensions in the region.

The cancellations included 344 arriving flights and 332 departures, affecting services connecting Mumbai with major Gulf hubs.

The highest number of cancellations was recorded on March 1, when 125 flights were grounded, followed by 116 cancellations on March 2 and 107 on March 3. The disruptions gradually eased later in the week, with 93 flights cancelled on March 4, 105 on March 5, and 73 on March 6, while 57 flights were cancelled on February 28.

According to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, a total of 1,221 flights operated by Indian carriers and 388 flights by foreign airlines were cancelled across the country during the same period.

Mumbai is among India’s busiest international gateways to the Gulf region, maintaining connectivity with cities such as Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Muscat and Kuwait City. Estimates suggest that 80 to 100 flights operate daily between Mumbai and Middle East destinations, making the corridor one of the airport’s most heavily used international sectors.

With aircraft on these routes typically carrying between 170 and 300 passengers, the week-long disruption may have affected well over one lakh travellers, though airlines have not released official passenger figures.

Naresh S is a Trainee Correspondent with The Indian Express, based out of Mumbai. A graduate of Xavier’s Institute of Communication (XIC), he has an avid interest in civic issues and policy-related domains. At present, he reports on the transport sector, covering suburban railways, BEST bus serives and aviation with a propensity for in-depth analyses and researched-focused reportage. Core Coverage Areas: Naresh reports on Mumbai’s urban mobility and public systems, with a focus on transport infrastructure, commuter safety, and policy execution. His reporting is research-driven and data-backed, aimed at explaining how large public systems function or fail, for everyday commuters. Transport (Primary Beat): His main beat is transport, covering Mumbai’s suburban railways and BEST bus services. His reportage in this domain spans detailed coverage of events like the Mumbra train accident and its safety implications, as well as follow-up reporting on long-standing gaps such as the delayed implementation of automatic doors on Mumbai local trains. He also tracks infrastructure projects, operational disruptions, and policy decisions affecting daily commuters, often through explainer-style stories. Aviation (Secondary Beat): Naresh also covers aviation and airport infrastructure, including reporting on the Navi Mumbai International Airport project. His aviation coverage has included the IndiGo flight disruptions in December 2025, focusing on passenger impact, regulatory response, and systemic issues within civil aviation operations. ... Read More

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