Since Iran closed the Strait of Hormuz on 28 February 2026 and the subsequent disruption to Middle Eastern airspace, tens of thousands of Indian travellers have faced cancelled flights, rerouted journeys, extended stays abroad, and significant unexpected costs.
The fragile ceasefire announced on 8 April has not yet translated into normal operations. For anyone who has already been affected, or who is planning to travel in the coming weeks, understanding your rights and your insurance position is essential.
What Airlines Are Obligated to Do
Under the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) regulations, if an airline cancels a flight or makes a significant schedule change, you are entitled to:
- A full refund to your original form of payment, processed within 7 days
- Rebooking on the next available flight at no additional cost
- In some cases, meals and accommodation if the delay or cancellation occurs at an Indian airport
These rights apply to flights originating in India. For flights originating abroad, the regulations of the departure country apply. In the EU, EC 261/2004 provides broadly similar protections. In the UAE, Gulf carriers operate under their own passenger rights frameworks.
Extraordinary circumstances: Airlines typically invoke force majeure clauses for disruptions caused by geopolitical events or airspace closures. These clauses can reduce or eliminate compensation for the delay or cancellation itself, but they do not remove your right to a refund for the unused flight. If your flight is cancelled, you are owed a refund regardless of the reason.
Travel Insurance: What Is and Is Not Covered
If you purchased comprehensive travel insurance before the conflict began (before approximately 28 February 2026), you likely have meaningful coverage for:
- Trip cancellation: If your travel became impossible due to airspace closure or government travel advisory
- Trip interruption: If you were already travelling and your return was delayed or disrupted
- Emergency accommodation: Costs incurred due to being stranded
- Medical evacuation: If you required emergency medical transport
If you purchased insurance after the conflict began, coverage for this specific event is very likely excluded. Insurance policies typically exclude claims arising from events that were already known and foreseeable at the time of purchase. The Hormuz crisis and its flight disruptions were widely publicised from late February. Any policy purchased after that date will almost certainly contain an explicit exclusion.
How to Make a Claim
Document everything. Keep boarding passes, hotel receipts, meal receipts, communication records from your airline, and any official government advisories that were in effect during your disruption.
Contact your insurer's emergency line as soon as disruption occurs, rather than retrospectively. Most policies require you to notify the insurer promptly, and claiming weeks after the event without prior notification can complicate your claim.
If your claim is rejected and you believe this is incorrect, escalate to the Insurance Ombudsman. India has a network of Insurance Ombudsmen who handle disputes between policyholders and insurers.
What to Do Now if You Have Upcoming Bookings
Check your airline's waiver policy. Most major airlines, including Air India, IndiGo, Emirates, and Qatar Airways, have issued waivers allowing rebooking or cancellation without fees for flights through the affected region. These waivers have expiry dates and are updated frequently; check your specific airline's website.
Do not book non-refundable travel through the region until the ceasefire demonstrates stability. The announcement of 8 April is promising, but the ceasefire is fragile and the Strait of Hormuz had not reopened as of 10 April.
Book flexible fares for any upcoming travel. The marginal cost of a refundable fare over a non-refundable one is worth it under current conditions.
Consider travel via alternative hubs. Flights routed via Colombo, Singapore, or Bangkok to reach Europe or the Americas avoid Middle Eastern airspace entirely and are currently operating without significant disruption.
For Those Currently in India or Stranded Abroad
If you are an Indian national stranded abroad and require consular assistance, contact the Indian Embassy or consulate in your current country of residence. The Ministry of External Affairs' 24-hour helpline (+91-11-2301-2113) remains operational.
If you are a foreign national who has extended your stay in India due to the crisis, the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued guidance that overstays directly attributable to the conflict and documented flight cancellations will be treated leniently. Carry documentation of your cancelled or rescheduled flights.
This article is general guidance and does not constitute legal or insurance advice. For specific claims, consult your insurer or a qualified adviser. Information reflects the situation as of 7 April 2026.