India’s largest low‑cost carrier IndiGo has extended full free cancellation waivers for flights to and from the Middle East and Istanbul, Turkey until March 31, 2026, as ongoing regional tensions continue to disrupt air travel. The extension, announced in a travel advisory on Friday, allows passengers to cancel affected bookings without incurring any penalties while volatility persists across West Asian airspace.
The move comes amid escalating geopolitical conflict in the Gulf region—triggered by heightened hostilities involving the United States, Israel, and Iran—that has led to widespread airspace closures and operational disruptions since late February. IndiGo has urged travellers with bookings on Middle East and Istanbul routes to monitor flight statuses through its official website and social media platforms and to stay in contact with the airline for real‑time updates.
IndiGo’s waiver covers all cancellation fees for flights serving key Middle Eastern destinations and Istanbul through the end of March, giving customers flexibility to cancel or adjust travel plans as uncertainty lingers. In its advisory, the airline said it is “closely monitoring developments” and continues to engage with relevant authorities to ensure passenger safety remains paramount.
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The airline’s operational challenges have been evident: between February 28 and early March, IndiGo cancelled more than 500 flights on routes connecting India with Gulf hubs, and on March 6 alone, at least 112 scheduled international flights were cancelled due to airspace restrictions. These disruptions have affected travel to cities including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Kuwait City and Istanbul among others.
Other Indian carriers and foreign airlines have introduced similar flexibility measures for affected passengers. Air India and several Gulf carriers—including Emirates, Etihad Airways, and flydubai—are offering waivers, refunds, and rebooking options in response to the evolving situation, encouraging flyers to check each airline’s specific policy before travel.
Meanwhile, limited flight operations are gradually resuming. On March 6, IndiGo planned a phased restoration of select departures to Middle Eastern cities, and airlines including Air India and SpiceJet operated special repatriation flights to assist stranded passengers returning from the region.
The ongoing conflict continues to unsettle global air traffic networks, with routing changes, cancellations and delays impacting travellers across multiple continents. IndiGo’s extension of waivers aims to reduce disruption for its customers while the situation remains fluid.
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