Flights Cancelled, Diverted As Qatar, UAE, Bahrain Shut Airspace Amid Missile Strikes

Last Updated:June 23, 2025, 23:54 IST

Several flights were disrupted on Monday night due to the sudden closure of airspace over Qatar, the UAE, and Bahrain following missile strikes in the Gulf region.

Several domestic and international flights on Monday night were disrupted following the sudden closure of airspace over Qatar, the UAE and Bahrain.

The closure of airspace over the Gulf region comes shortly after Iran attacked a US base in neighbouring Qatar, carried out in retaliation for American strikes on its nuclear facilities. Qatar had closed it airspace before it was hit by Iranian strikes.

An Air India Express flight that took off from Cochin at 6:53 PM was diverted to Muscat shortly after departure. Air India’s Doha-bound flight, scheduled for 12:53 AM, was cancelled due to the airspace restrictions. Meanwhile, a Qatar Airways flight expected to land at Cochin at 2:53 AM was delayed, which also affected its scheduled return leg.

Etihad Airways’ service from Cochin to Abu Dhabi was also impacted, with the aircraft turning back mid-flight. Similarly, a Gulf Air flight operating from Trivandrum to Bahrain, which had departed at 10:00 PM, had to return to its origin and is expected to land back at Trivandrum by around 11:00 PM.

Cochin International Airport confirmed the disruptions in a statement, noting that flight services on this sector have been temporarily affected due to the closure of Qatari airspace. Passengers travelling to or from affected destinations have been advised to check with their airlines for updates.

Thiruvananthapuram International Airport also issued an advisory to passengers following the closure of airspace in parts of the Middle East, which has disrupted flight operations.

“Due to the closure of airspace in the Middle East, flight operations from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport have been impacted. Passengers are requested to check with their respective airlines on the status of their flights before arriving at the airport,” the advisory said.

Indigo issued an advisory stating that, due to the “evolving situation in the Middle East, some of our flights may experience delays or diversions. These adjustments are being made to ensure operations remain within safe and compliant airspace.”

In a statement, Air India announced that it has cancelled all flights flying over the Middle East with immediate effect for the next 24 hours.

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