airline advisory Archives - Aviation Today

United Nigeria Grounds Two Aircraft After Jet Blast Damage & Bird Strike Incident

Aviation Today News Desk / March 30, 2026

Lagos, Nigeria: United Nigeria Airlines faced significant operational disruption after two separate incidents, a jet blast-induced ground accident and a […]

Middle East

US–Israel–Iran War Trigggers Widespread Airspace Closures, 4,000+ Flight Cancellations

Aviation Today News Desk / March 2, 2026

Middle East: Global air travel faced unprecedented disruption this weekend after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Global aviation operations have been significantly disrupted this week as a number of major carriers suspend or cancel flights to and from Israel and several key Gulf destinations, citing escalating geopolitical risks and heightened regional instability. Airlines including KLM, Air France, Lufthansa and British Airways have announced cancellations or temporary suspensions of services to critical hubs such as Tel Aviv (Ben Gurion Airport), Dubai and Riyadh, as well as broader route adjustments across the Middle East. The moves come amid intensifying security concerns related to rising tensions between the United States and Iran, and ongoing conflict dynamics in the region. Air France has temporarily halted flights between Paris and Dubai, stating that “due to the current situation in the Middle East,” the airline will suspend service to the UAE emirate for the time being. Dutch carrier KLM has paused flights not only to Tel Aviv but also to Dubai, Riyadh and Dammam (Saudi Arabia) while avoiding overflight of airspace above Iran, Iraq and several neighboring countries as a precaution. Lufthansa Group and British Airways have similarly scaled back operations to the region, with suspensions and cancellations affecting multiple daily services. The disruptions are reported to extend beyond European carriers, reflecting a broader industry response to the perceived security risks associated with the volatile geopolitical environment. These recent cancellations follow a broader pattern of flight suspensions and diversions that have periodically impacted Middle East routes throughout 2025 as regional tensions escalated. In past flare-ups, carriers such as Emirates, flydubai, Etihad Airways and Air Arabia also halted services to destinations including Iran, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon due to airspace closures and safety concerns. Aviation industry analysts warn that these cancellations could have considerable knock-on effects for global travel and logistics networks. Passengers with upcoming itineraries to the affected regions are being urged to check flight statuses directly with airlines and to contact carriers promptly for rebooking or refund options where applicable. In related developments from prior months, international carriers had earlier extended or re-imposed suspensions for flights to and from Tel Aviv due to direct threats on airspace infrastructure. Airlines and aviation authorities emphasize that passenger and crew safety remain the top priorities guiding route decisions.

Airlines

Major Airlines Cancel Israel, Dubai & Riyadh Flights Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

Aviation Today News Desk / January 24, 2026

Dubai, United Arab Emirates: Global aviation operations have been significantly disrupted this week as a number of major carriers suspend

Delhi, India: Air traffic in and out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is facing significant disruption this week as temporary airspace closures come into force ahead of the 77th Republic Day celebrations. Authorities have issued formal restrictions that are expected to affect hundreds of scheduled flights between January 21 and January 26. Under Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) and associated civil aviation agencies, the airspace over Delhi will be closed to commercial departures and arrivals daily between 10:20 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. (IST) for a duration of 2 hours 25 minutes. The restrictions are designed to facilitate military flypast rehearsals, parade drills and associated aerial security procedures ahead of the Republic Day parade. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, more than 600 flights are likely to be delayed, rescheduled or cancelled over the six-day period due to the closure coinciding with one of IGIA’s busiest scheduling windows. Airlines have warned of unpredictable movement patterns throughout the affected window, with adjustments to flight departures and arrivals increasingly likely during the restricted hours. Passengers travelling to or from Delhi are being urged to check flight status updates directly with carriers before their scheduled departure. On January 19, well ahead of the formal restriction dates, three Srinagar–Delhi flights were cancelled as preliminary rehearsals triggered temporary shutdowns of critical airspace corridors, highlighting the cascading impacts of the restrictions. Regional disruptions are also emerging. On the Delhi–Pantnagar route, early-morning services were cancelled due to the imposed no-fly zone, with airlines offering rebooking or refunds to affected passengers. Similarly, two Air India flights operating between Nagpur and Delhi have been cancelled through January 26 as operators adjust schedules in light of the closure. The closures coincide with peak winter weather conditions in the national capital region. Dense fog and poor visibility have already contributed to flight delays and cancellations at IGIA and other airports in northern India in recent days. A travel advisory issued on January 17 by Delhi Airport officials highlighted that persistent fog coupled with heightened Republic Day security measures could create compounded challenges for passengers and airlines. The airspace restrictions form part of an integrated national security plan for Republic Day, which also includes extensive no-fly zones and road traffic curbs in central Delhi on rehearsal and parade days. Delhi Police and civil aviation authorities have coordinated the measures to balance security needs with transport continuity.

Airports

Republic Day Airspace Closures May Affect 600+ Flights At Delhi IGIA For 6 Days

Aviation Today News Desk / January 21, 2026

Delhi, India: Air traffic in and out of Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) is facing significant disruption this week as

Delhi, India: An Air India Airbus A350-900 aircraft operating flight AI101 from Delhi to New York (JFK) suffered significant engine damage early on 15 January 2026 after it ingested a cargo container while taxiing at Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGIA) amid dense fog, aviation authorities confirmed. The wide-body aircraft, registered VT-JRB, had taken off from Delhi in the pre-dawn hours but was forced to return shortly after departure due to the temporary closure of Iranian airspace, which disrupted its planned trans-Atlantic routing. Upon landing safely on Runway 28 at approximately 05:25 IST, the jet was taxiing toward its designated parking bay when the incident occurred. According to initial findings by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), a cargo container toppled onto the taxiway intersection of N/N4 after a wheel came loose from a ground-handling tug operated by Bird Worldwide Flight Services (BWFS). The fallen container lay in the aircraft’s path during low-visibility conditions, and the engine sucked the container into its number two (right-hand) engine, resulting in substantial damage to the powerplant. Officials noted that foggy conditions and marginal visibility likely exacerbated the risk, contributing to the ground-handling equipment mishap. Metal debris was cleared from the taxiway before the aircraft was towed to Stand 244 for assessment, the regulator said. Air India confirmed the damage and said the aircraft is grounded for detailed inspection and repairs. In a statement, the carrier said it has positioned the affected jet safely and is assisting passengers with alternative travel arrangements and refunds where required. The airline also warned that the grounding may lead to disruptions on select long-haul routes serviced by its A350 fleet, which includes services to destinations such as London, Newark, and New York. No injuries were reported among the more than 250 passengers and crew aboard the flight, reflecting effective safety protocols despite the rare nature of the incident. The DGCA has initiated a formal investigation into the chain of events that led to the foreign object debris (FOD) incident, focusing on ground-handling procedures, compliance with safety norms, and operations in reduced visibility. Foreign object ingestion events are classified as serious safety occurrences in aviation due to the potential for engine failure.

Incidents

Air India A350 Engine Damaged After Ingesting Cargo Container At Delhi Airport

Aviation Today News Desk / January 16, 2026

Delhi, India: An Air India Airbus A350-900 aircraft operating flight AI101 from Delhi to New York (JFK) suffered significant engine

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is battling a major operational crisis after its on-time performance (OTP) plunged sharply to just 19.7% on December 3, triggering widespread flight delays and 200 flight cancellations across key airports and disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers nationwide. As per IndiGo's website, the airline operates well over 2,200 daily flights. Government data from Wednesday shows the airline’s on-time performance plunging to just 19.7%, a dramatic fall for a carrier long associated with punctuality. This implies that over 1,767 flights were delayed on that day alone. The turbulence continued and on Wednesday airports in Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad collectively reported 200 flight cancellations by afternoon, in addition to hundreds of delayed departures and arrivals. The combined impact of delays and cancellations caused widespread disruption for domestic travellers, leaving passengers stranded, scrambling for alternatives, and highlighting the operational strain on the airline’s network. Official airport punctuality data on 3rd December shows a stark contrast between IndiGo and other domestic airlines: IndiGo: 19.7% Alliance Air: 68.0% Air India: 66.8% Akasa Air: 67.5% Air India Express: 69.9% SpiceJet: 68.70% The disruptions are evident from the airline’s on-time performance (OTP) data; merely 19.7% on Wednesday, 35% of the IndiGo flights operated on time on Tuesday, while the figure was around 50% on Monday, as per the Ministry of Civil Aviation. IndiGo’s OTP typically used to be upwards of 80% prior to the second phase of the new FDTL norms taking effect in November. Aviation industry officials attribute the crisis primarily to a severe shortage of pilots and cabin crew, which has worsened following the enforcement of revised Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) norms. The updated rules require stricter rest periods, reduced night operations, and tighter rostering limits, significantly shrinking the pool of available crew for daily operations. In addition to crew constraints, airport congestion, winter fog disruptions in north India, and internal operational realignments further compounded the stress on the airline’s network, according to aviation sources. The disruption led to multiple delays stretching into several hours, and in many cases, short-notice cancellations, forcing passengers to look for alternative routes or remain stranded at airports. Social media platforms were flooded with complaints highlighting missed connections, lack of timely communication, and prolonged waiting at check-in counters and boarding gates. Several travellers reported delays exceeding four to six hours, while others were informed of cancellations only after reaching the airport. Business travellers and holiday passengers alike were impacted during what is traditionally a high-demand travel period. IndiGo acknowledged the disruption and attributed it to a combination of crew unavailability and operational challenges. In a public advisory, the airline urged passengers to check real-time flight status before heading to the airport and assured customers that rebooking or full refunds would be provided in accordance with company policy. The airline also stated that it is working on “calibrated schedule adjustments” to stabilise operations and gradually restore normalcy across the network. Meanwhile, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said that it is looking into the IndiGo flight disruptions and has asked the airline to submit a report detailing the reasons for the situation.

Airlines

IndiGo On-Time Performance Falls To 19.7% As Crew Shortage Triggers 200 Cancellations

Aviation Today News Desk / December 4, 2025

New Delhi, India: India’s largest airline, IndiGo, is battling a major operational crisis after its on-time performance (OTP) plunged sharply

airline advisory

United Nigeria Grounds Two Aircraft After Jet Blast Damage & Bird Strike Incident

US–Israel–Iran War Trigggers Widespread Airspace Closures, 4,000+ Flight Cancellations

Major Airlines Cancel Israel, Dubai & Riyadh Flights Amid Rising Middle East Tensions

Republic Day Airspace Closures May Affect 600+ Flights At Delhi IGIA For 6 Days

Air India A350 Engine Damaged After Ingesting Cargo Container At Delhi Airport

IndiGo On-Time Performance Falls To 19.7% As Crew Shortage Triggers 200 Cancellations

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