Flight Cancelled Due To Iran-Israel War? Read This FAQ Guide To Check For Refunds, Rebookings

Last Updated:March 03, 2026, 10:32 IST

If your flight has also been cancelled due to the Israel-Iran war, here is a quick guide to know if you can cancel your ticket and get a refund or reschedule your flight

It is the biggest disruption to global air transport since the Covid-19 pandemic, and there is no end in sight. As Israel and the US pounded Iran and Iran struck back after the joint strikes, thousands of flights were affected, and major Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai and Doha were closed due to the conflict.

If your flight has also been cancelled due to the Israel-Iran war, here is a quick guide to know if you can cancel your ticket and get a refund or reschedule your flight:

Q. Why are flights being cancelled right now?

There are many flights that have been suspended or cancelled, and the main reason for this is that the Middle East airspace, including Iran, Israel, the Gulf, and the surrounding states, has been closed following military strikes and retaliatory actions. This has led to the suspension of flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, and many other airports, resulting in the cancellation of thousands of flights.

Q. What should I do first if my flight gets cancelled?

First, you should immediately check the flight status with the official app, website, or customer service of the airlines. It is always advisable not to assume that the flight will operate as scheduled until the airlines confirm the flight status. Most airlines send email and message notifications to passengers when the flight is cancelled.

Q. Do I qualify for a refund or other travel alternatives?

Yes. In case the flight is cancelled due to the conflict, you are likely to be offered a refund of the unused tickets or a free re-booking of the next flight. This is usually a standard practice under various national passenger rights laws and airline policies around the world. Nevertheless, avoid cancelling the flight before the airline does, as this might deny you a free refund or re-booking. Indian airlines are offering greater flexibility and waivers for affected bookings until early March 2026, for travel originally planned until March 7, if the tickets were booked before the escalation of the conflict.

Q. Can I get compensation beyond a refund?

It depends on where you booked and which regulations apply. For instance, in the EU/UK, passenger rights rules allow refunds or rerouting, but financial compensation is often not payable when cancellations are due to “extraordinary circumstances" such as war-related airspace closures.

If your flight is departing from the EU/UK, you must be offered a choice between refund or rerouting. So, while refunds and rebooking are required, fixed compensation payments may not be guaranteed in conflict-related cancellations.

In India, under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) Section 3, Series ‘M’, Part IV, airlines must follow certain standards when cancelling flights:

• If you are informed two weeks or more before departure: alternate flight or refund.

• If you are informed less than two weeks but more than 24 hours before departure: alternate flight or refund.

• If cancellation is within 24 hours of departure (or you miss a connection on the same ticket): in addition to refund/alternate flight, compensation may apply.

This applies when the carrier doesn’t notify you on time. However, war and airspace closures can be considered “extraordinary circumstances," which may affect the compensation portion though but refund and rebooking rights still stand.

Q. Will I be given a hotel and food if I’m stranded?

Airlines often offer ‘duty of care’ when they cancel a flight. This means that they might offer food and hotel arrangements if you are stuck. But if they are unable to offer this, then they might reimburse this cost later. This, however, depends on the region and the airline. So, we recommend that you check this out with the airline or your travel rights.

Q. I have a travel insurance. Will this help?

Generally speaking, travel insurance does not cover war and military conflicts. This implies that the additional costs which are immediately linked to the conflict may not be reimbursed by the airlines and the insurance companies.

Q. What if I am already abroad when my flight is cancelled?

First and foremost, keep in touch with your air carrier to see if there are any updates on replacement flights. Register with your foreign ministry/government travel assistance service to get support if you are abroad as a citizen. Also, keep an eye on local safety information which is changing rapidly.

Q. Does this apply to flights that connect to other places through Middle Eastern hubs such as Dubai and Doha?

Yes, as many flights pass through the Middle Eastern hubs, cancellations of flights through these places can affect many flights that are far from the region. Although the flights can be rerouted to pass through different corridors, this can cause delays, increase the duration as well as cost of the journey.

Q. Does this apply to all airlines?

Yes, many international flights, such as the Gulf, European, Asian, and Indian flights, have been cancelled as a result of the conflict.

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