Amritsar, March 2: International air travel from Amritsar to the Middle East came to a standstill on Sunday as a spike in military activity between Iran and Israel forced the closure of critical flight corridors. The sudden restriction of airspace over multiple nations, including Iraq and the UAE, led to the suspension of 10 key departures from Sri Guru Ram Dass Jee International Airport.
The regional instability, following strikes on Iran, caused immediate diversions for several aircraft already in the sky. Carriers such as flydubai and Emirates suspended all Dubai-bound services until further notice, while other flights to Sharjah were turned back mid-route. One SpiceJet flight was forced to land in Ahmedabad after regional authorities restricted access to planned paths.
Qatar Airways stated that the closure of Qatari airspace necessitated a temporary suspension of all its local operations. The airline maintained that it is waiting for a formal green light from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority before it considers a return to regular schedules.
Air India similarly adjusted its international roster to avoid the conflict zone. “In view of the evolving situation and prioritizing passenger and crew safety, it has cancelled select flights scheduled for March 1, including the Amritsar–London (Gatwick)–Amritsar service,” the airline affirmed in a public update.
While security has been tightened at the Amritsar terminal, airport sources stated that the situation remains fluid. Authorities noted that passengers must verify their flight status directly with airlines, as the reopening of these international routes is contingent upon the stabilization of the security climate in the Gulf and surrounding regions.
