Daijiworld Media Network – Kuwait City /New Delhi
Kuwait City / New Delhi, Feb 28: Amid escalating hostilities in the Middle East, Kuwait on Saturday temporarily closed its airspace to all flights and passenger traffic, while an Air India flight bound for Tel Aviv was forced to return mid-air following airspace shutdowns triggered by missile strikes and retaliatory attacks in the region.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) in Kuwait said the closure was a precautionary measure to safeguard passengers, airlines, and airport operations, emphasising that ensuring safety and security remains its top priority.
Meanwhile, the Air India flight had to turn back after multiple countries suspended their airspace following coordinated strikes by the United States and Israel on Iran, which reportedly prompted retaliatory missile attacks on Israel.
Israeli airport operations were suspended, and Iran also announced the closure of its airspace, creating widespread disruption in international aviation.
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport issued alerts for Middle East international air routes, warning that flights to western destinations could face delays, diversions, or cancellations.
In a statement, IndiGo said: “The safety and security of our customers and crew remain our highest priority. Our teams are prepared to make necessary adjustments as the situation evolves.”
Reports indicate that US and Israeli forces carried out targeted strikes on Tehran and other strategic locations in Iran, including key government buildings and military installations. One site reportedly linked to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was targeted, though he is believed to have been moved to a secure location. Official confirmation regarding casualties or structural damage is still awaited.
The escalating crisis has caused widespread disruption globally. Qatar temporarily halted all air traffic, while German airline Lufthansa suspended flights to and from Tel Aviv, Beirut, and Amman until 7 March. Oman Air temporarily suspended Baghdad services amid safety concerns, and flydubai confirmed that some of its flights were impacted following closures of Iranian, Iraqi, and Israeli airspace.
Russia’s Transport Ministry stated that Russian carriers have suspended flights to Israel and Iran. Air France cancelled its scheduled 28 February services to Tel Aviv and Beirut. In Iraq, Erbil Airport announced a complete suspension of air traffic, underscoring the widening impact on aviation.
As tensions continue to escalate, airlines and aviation authorities worldwide remain on high alert, prioritising passenger safety while monitoring developments closely in the conflict-hit region.