West Asia Conflict: 2,325 Flights Cancelled, 16,000 Stranded; Indian Aviation Faces Major Disruption

• Escalating West Asia conflict led to 2,325 flight cancellations between February 28 and March 5, severely impacting Indian aviation.
• Indian airlines cancelled 1,770 flights, foreign carriers 555; affecting 2.93 lakh passengers, with ~16,000 still stranded in Gulf airports.
• Airspace restrictions in Iran, Israel, Lebanon, and parts of the Gulf corridor triggered the crisis, disrupting a key Asia-Europe route.
• IndiGo cancelled 806 flights (1.39 lakh passengers), Air India Express 580 (82,000 passengers), Air India 229, SpiceJet 123, and Akasa Air 67.
• Major foreign airlines like Qatar Airways, Gulf Air halted services; some like Saudia, Oman Air rerouted flights, increasing costs and travel times.