Here’s How Middle East Conflict Impacts Travel between USA and India: Flight Delays, Diversions, Cancelation

The skies for flights between North America and India have become more turbulent through the Middle East. Since the closure of Pakistan’s airspace in April 2025, Air India flights have been taking longer routes with refueling pitstops in Vienna (Europe), Kolkata, and Bengaluru at the cost of additional travel hours. Now the unprecedented airspace closure by several Middle East countries, in the view of the escalating Israel-Iran-USA tensions, is impacting passenger flights between US and India, North America to South Asia at large.

Air India news amidst the Middle East tensions

In response to the Israel-Iran-US tensions, Air India suspended flights to and from New York JFK, Newark EWR, Washington DC, and Chicago ORD, until further notice, affecting travel during the summer holiday season. Below is an excerpt from Air India’s message:

“Amid the developing situation in the Middle East, Air India has ceased all operations to the region as well as to and from the East Coast of North America and Europe with immediate effect, until further notice. Our India-bound flights from North America are diverting back to their respective origins and others are being diverted back to India or re-routed away from the closed airspaces.”

After a few hours of shutdown, Qatar reopened its airspace for safe departure of international transit passengers stranded at Doha Hamad Airport. In a communication to IndianEagle.com, Qatar Airways offers to rebook cancelled flights and reschedule travel for the passengers who wish to change their travel plans under amidst the Middle East crisis. Qatar Airways flights booked on or before 23 June for travel on or before 30 June 2025 are eligible for a waiver on the airline’s rebooking fee.

In addition to Air India flight cancelation, other airlines highly anticipate flight delays and diversions through the Middle East airspace, a vital corridor between North America and South Asia. With Iran, Israel, Iraq, and Pakistan continuing to keep their airspace restricted, longer flight paths and additional flying hours are expected in the coming days. However, the situation is volatile and unpredictable, thereby making civil aviation safety considerably important though inconvenience is inevitable to some extent.

Passengers scheduled to travel to India or USA are strongly advised to watch out for airlines’ alerts and advisories. Save airlines’ customer helpline and emergency contact numbers for updates on your upcoming trip. Check your flight status on the day of travel and before leaving for the airport. If you booked Indian Eagle USA to India flights for your travel in the last week of June 2025, contact our 24/7 customer support for rescheduling and alternate options.