Between late evening March 6 and morning March 7, 2026, operations to key Gulf destinations halted. Airlines cited safety protocols, prioritizing lives over schedules in a volatile airspace.

Key impacts: Air Arabia’s Kolkata-Abu Dhabi service (3L-0167) scrapped. Etihad’s bidirectional Abu Dhabi flights (EY-0220 and EY-0221) followed suit. Qatar Airways pulled QR-0540 from Doha and QR-0541 to Doha. Emirates nixed EK-0571 to Dubai and EK-0570 inbound, making seven flights in total.

Airport advisories stress checking flight apps or calling carriers, especially for Middle East-bound itineraries. This isn’t just a Kolkata issue—similar ripples are felt nationwide, as carriers reroute and refund amid diplomatic deadlock.

Passengers shared frustration online, with stranded plans unraveling family reunions and business deals. Analysts predict extended halts if tensions don’t ease, urging flexibility in travel amid global interconnected risks.

According to the official statement, ‘Passengers may cancel or amend their tickets without charges within 48 hours of booking.’ Fare differences apply only if changing flights.

Eligibility is tied to booking timelines: domestic flights need seven days prior to departure, international ones 15 days. Post-window, conventional fees kick in.

The amendments, notified on February 24, activate on March 26, 2026. DGCA has also tightened rules on name fixes and refunds for smoother experiences.

Direct website purchases allow free name changes within 24 hours. For agent-booked tickets, airlines must handle refunds promptly within 14 business days.

New deadlines include seven days for credit card refunds and instant cash returns at counters. Taxes and fees remain refundable regardless of fare policy.

This policy shift addresses long-standing grievances, making air travel more passenger-friendly. Industry experts predict it will reduce booking hesitancy and encourage spontaneous travel plans.

As airlines gear up for implementation, flyers should familiarize themselves with these rights to maximize benefits. The aviation landscape in India is evolving towards greater transparency and accountability.

The airport, designed for 7 million passengers annually, currently serves only half that number, with international operations limited to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Sandhu painted a vivid picture of the opportunities: seamless travel for diaspora communities, business travelers, and tourists from the tri-state region.

By designating Chandigarh as a Point of Call, airlines worldwide could base operations there, he proposed. This would diversify routes and stimulate local economies. On the cargo front, increasing flights would supercharge Punjab’s farm exports, delivering real gains to rural producers and small businesses.

Sandhu lauded India’s aviation renaissance over the past decade, crediting visionary leadership for tripling airport numbers. Punjab’s infrastructure has strengthened with international gateways in Chandigarh and Amritsar, complemented by domestic hubs. Special mention went to PM Modi’s recent Punjab visit, where he honored Guru Ravidas by renaming Adampur Airport and gifting Halwara to the state.

Yet, Sandhu urged for more. “Grateful as we are, our people seek enhanced connectivity to match national progress,” he asserted. This call to action highlights how targeted investments in regional airports can bridge urban-rural divides and fuel inclusive growth across northern India.

CEO of Air India, Campbell Wilson, revealed that some international flights have already resumed operations starting August 1st, with a target of having all flights operational by October 1st. The cancellations were a direct result of the incident in Ahmedabad.

During a recent audit conducted by the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), over 100 discrepancies were identified in some of Air India’s flights. DGCA officials promptly ordered the rectification of these shortcomings.

According to CEO Campbell Wilson, the flights that were canceled will be reinstated by October 1st. Some of the grounded flights have already begun to resume service since August 1st, with a phased approach planned for the remaining routes.

After the Ahmedabad incident, multiple Air India flights experienced a range of issues simultaneously. These included emergency landings and reports of technical malfunctions. Within a week of the incident, over 80 flights were canceled. The DGCA initiated inspections of all Air India aircraft, which have now largely been completed.

On June 12th, Air India flight AI171, en route from Ahmedabad to London, crashed shortly after takeoff. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of 297 lives. Out of the 242 passengers on board, 241 perished in the accident.