Ayatollah Khamenei’s Death Triggers Travel Chaos; 400+ Flights Cancelled Across India
New Delhi/Dubai, 1st March 2026: The United States and Israel continued their military offensive against Iran for a second consecutive day on Sunday, as confirmation emerged of the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, sharply worsening the security situation across the Middle East. The escalation has triggered widespread airspace closures, leading to mass flight cancellations and severe disruption to international air travel, including routes connecting Dubai and India.
According to India’s aviation authorities, as many as 444 flights could be cancelled on Sunday due to the unfolding crisis. On February 28 alone, more than 400 domestic flights operated by Indian airlines were cancelled. The cascading impact of restricted airspace has left thousands of passengers stranded across major airports.
At Dubai International Airport, an Iranian drone reportedly struck airport premises, injuring four people. Amid the chaos, Indian badminton star P V Sindhu has been stranded in Dubai. Her father, P V Ramana, said the Indian Embassy is in touch with Sindhu and has arranged her stay at a hotel.
Actor Sonal Chauhan is also stranded in Dubai. She appealed for assistance through a post on X, tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Meanwhile, passenger distress has intensified in India, with travellers at Indira Gandhi International Airport reporting waits of up to 20 hours.
Many passengers were forced to spend the night at both Delhi and Mumbai international airports due to repeated delays and cancellations.
In Jammu and Kashmir, protests were reported in Srinagar following confirmation of Khamenei’s death, prompting heightened security measures in the region.
Drone attack near Burj Khalifa
On February 28, a drone attack was reported near the Burj Khalifa, prompting authorities to evacuate the building as a precaution and switch off its lights. Following the incident, flight operations at Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport were suspended until further orders.
Several countries temporarily shut their airspace, affecting global flight networks. India announced the cancellation of all scheduled flights for Sunday to major international destinations including London, Toronto, Frankfurt, Paris and Chicago. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) also advised airlines to avoid the airspace of 11 countries due to security concerns, urging passengers not to travel to airports without confirmed flight status and to stay in touch with airlines for updates.
Countries such as the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait temporarily closed their airspace, forcing airlines to cancel, reroute or suspend services as a precaution.
Airlines issue advisories
Air India said it is continuously assessing the evolving security environment and will adjust operations accordingly. The airline also apologised for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to the sudden and unpredictable situation. Data from Flightradar24 showed that a Boeing 777-operated Air India flight remained airborne for over five hours before returning after entering Saudi Arabian airspace.
Budget carrier IndiGo said it is closely monitoring developments related to Iran and surrounding airspace and will issue further advisories based on regional updates.
As hostilities continue and airspace restrictions remain fluid, aviation authorities and airlines have warned that disruptions may persist, with passengers advised to plan travel cautiously amid rapidly changing Middle East tensions.
