Airfares from Hyderabad rise sharply amid Middle East tensions.
Airlines hike prices amid airspace disruptions ongoing
‘Fares Have Skyrocketed’: Hyderabad Airport Hit Hard as Middle East Conflict Disrupts Global Travel
HYDERABAD, March 3, 2026 – Passengers flying out of Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad are facing a nightmare scenario of surging airfares, mass cancellations, and extended travel times as the escalating conflict in the Middle East throws global aviation into chaos.
With the United States ordering the evacuation of all American citizens from more than a dozen countries across the region and ongoing military strikes involving Iran, Israel, and Gulf states, airlines are being forced to reroute flights, suspend services, and avoid large swathes of affected airspace. For travelers departing from one of India’s busiest international hubs, the result has been financial shock and widespread uncertainty.
On Tuesday, March 3, one-way ticket prices to London ranged between Rs 65,000 and Rs 90,000—nearly double the usual fare for the route. Similarly, fares to cities in Germany have jumped by an astonishing 200 to 300 percent compared to regular pricing. Long-haul travel to the United States has also become significantly more expensive. A flight to New York routed via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, was priced at approximately Rs 1.5 lakh on Tuesday, reflecting the reduced options and complex rerouting now required to avoid conflict zones.
Due to flight rerouting, reduced services through impacted airspace, and operational changes, travel durations have increased substantially for passengers departing from Hyderabad. What were once direct or efficient connections have become multi-stop odysseys as airlines plot new paths around the volatile region. Temporary airspace closures and operational suspensions are contributing to both the increased ticket prices and the extended travel times.
The impact on connectivity between Hyderabad and the United Arab Emirates has been particularly severe. The route is a critical artery for business and the large Indian expatriate community, with an average of 5,000 passengers traveling daily between the city and the UAE. On Monday alone, more than 50 flights were cancelled at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, stranding hundreds of passengers and disrupting travel plans for thousands more.
Even flights scheduled in the coming days remain highly uncertain, with airlines issuing last-minute cancellations and advisories. Passengers have expressed growing frustration and concern over the sudden cancellations, as well as difficulty contacting airline customer care for rebooking or refund assistance. Many have taken to social media to share stories of being left in limbo, unsure when—or if—they will be able to travel.
“The fares have skyrocketed,” said Ramesh Kumar, a Hyderabad-based businessman who was scheduled to fly to Dubai for a meeting this week. His flight was canceled on Monday, and when he tried to rebook, he was quoted a price three times higher than his original ticket. “I cannot afford this, and I cannot get through to anyone on the phone. It is complete chaos.”
The disruption extends beyond the UAE, with flights to other Gulf destinations like Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar also facing cancellations and price hikes. The US State Department’s sweeping evacuation order for American citizens from the entire region from Egypt eastward—including the Gulf states, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Yemen—has added another layer of complexity, as airlines anticipate further restrictions and security assessments.
The aviation turmoil is a direct consequence of the widening war. Following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli air assault on Saturday, Iran has launched retaliatory strikes, including targeting oil facilities in Gulf countries and attacking US embassies in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. The back-and-forth attacks have rendered large portions of Middle Eastern airspace dangerous or completely inaccessible to commercial aviation.
As the situation is likely to continue for the next few days—with US President Donald Trump warning that the campaign against Iran could extend longer than a month—airfares for passengers traveling from Hyderabad Airport to the Middle East, Europe, and the United States may remain at these elevated levels or even climb higher.
For now, passengers are advised to check with airlines for real-time updates, expect potential last-minute changes, and prepare for significantly higher costs and longer journeys. The conflict, which has already claimed over 600 lives across a dozen countries and triggered mass protests in India, is now delivering a heavy blow to global travel, with Hyderabad’s airport emerging as a key pressure point in the unfolding crisis.