Middle East airspace closed, non-stop flight prices from India to London and New York skyrocket

The impact of escalating military tensions in the Middle East is now directly affecting the pockets of ordinary travelers. Following attacks in the Gulf region, including the UAE, Dubai's two major airports, Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport, have been temporarily closed. Dubai is considered a major hub for connecting flights worldwide, so its closure is a major blow to the global travel network.

Fares for non-stop flights from India to London and New York have reached record levels, while many international flights have been cancelled.

Indian travelers often take one-stop flights to Europe and North America via Dubai or other Gulf hubs. Tickets from these hubs were relatively cheap, and seats were readily available. However, the closure of the Dubai hub has severely impacted this entire system. As a result, demand for direct flights from India to destinations like London and New York has suddenly surged, and fares have reached record levels.

On February 28, 2026, Israel and the United States announced airstrikes against Iran. Hours later, Iran responded with missile and drone attacks. The situation in the region rapidly deteriorated, and many countries imposed precautionary restrictions on their airspace. This volatile environment has severely impacted international air traffic.

This crisis has had the greatest impact on travelers with urgent travel needs. Fares for non-stop flights from Delhi to London have more than doubled compared to normal. For example, the price of an economy class ticket on a direct Air India flight has reached over ₹150,000. Fares on Virgin Atlantic for the same route have seen even higher rates. These rates are typically considered comparable to business class fares. However, fares for flights scheduled for a few days later are relatively low, suggesting that this surge is due to the sudden increase in demand and limited seats.

Fares Increase

Not just economy, premium and first class fares have also seen a sharp increase. First class fares on a direct flight from Mumbai to London have reached lakhs of rupees. Travel experts say that until the airspace situation becomes clear, fares will continue to fluctuate.

Summary

Meanwhile, Air India has announced the cancellation of several international flights from Delhi, Mumbai, and Amritsar to cities like London, New York, Chicago, and Frankfurt. Many of these routes pass through Middle Eastern airspace. There is no clarity yet on when the flight restrictions will be lifted. However, Gulf airlines like Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Saudia are still offering limited one-stop connections through their respective hubs. They are offering flights, but seat availability is low and fares are much higher than normal.