Thousands of fliers were stuck at airports across India after airlines cancelled international flights on Sunday due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East.
The flight ops were disrupted after the US and Israel attacked Iran on Saturday, forcing countries around the region to close their airspace and key airports that connect Europe, Africa, and the West to Asia.
India's aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), said that as many as 444 flights of domestic carriers were expected to be cancelled on Sunday.
"I have no clue what to do," Somnath, a resident of Rajasthan who travelled to Delhi for a flight to Lebanon, told NDTV.
Sandeep, who works in London and came to India to attend a function, said he was in "big trouble" since he was already on extended leave.
He said he has to attend at his office from Monday but now has "no clue".
Two passengers who were going to the UAE's Dubai, which has been under attack by Iran, for a vacation have also been stranded at Delhi airport.
They said their hotel bookings and everything were done.
"The return flight was also booked, but now it is a major loss for us," they said.
A couple from London who were in Delhi to attend a wedding were also stuck.
Passengers were also stuck at Chennai, Chandigarh, Mumbai, and other cities.
Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air, and SpiceJet were among the domestic carriers that have suspended their operations to the Middle East.
More than 400 flights were also cancelled on Saturday, according to the DGCA.
The DGCA also advised airlines to avoid airspaces of 11 countries, including Iran, Israel, Lebanon, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar, till March 2.
Israel-US-Iran Tensions
The Middle East was plunged into chaos after the US and Israel carried out joint strikes on Iran early Saturday, killing Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
US President Donald Trump and Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu said the strikes aimed to end a decades-long threat from Iran and ensure it could not develop a nuclear weapon.
In retaliation, Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israel and US military installations in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
