On 8 April 2026, the United States and Iran announced a two-week ceasefire, mediated by Pakistan. The agreement included a commitment from Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and the start of peace negotiations in Islamabad. For the millions of travellers with connections through Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, and Muscat, the news was welcome. But the situation remains highly fluid, and the ceasefire is already showing signs of strain.
This article sets out what is confirmed, what remains unclear, and what you should do if you have flights booked through the region.
What the Ceasefire Does and Does Not Cover
The US-Iran ceasefire applies to direct hostilities between American and Iranian forces. It does not automatically extend to Israel's ongoing military operations in Lebanon, and Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu confirmed within hours of the announcement that Israel would not halt its campaign against Hezbollah.
Iran accused the United States of ceasefire violations on the day of the announcement itself, citing continued Israeli strikes on Lebanon, a drone entering Iranian airspace, and a dispute over Iran's right to enrich uranium. As of 10 April, the promised reopening of the Strait of Hormuz had not been implemented, with ships still being prevented from transiting.
What this means for travellers: Airspace over Iran remains restricted for most commercial carriers. Flights that were rerouted to avoid Iranian airspace are not yet returning to normal. The ceasefire is a potential turning point, but it has not yet translated into changed routing or restored schedules.
Current Flight Status
The major Gulf carriers, Emirates, Etihad, Qatar Airways, and Air India, continue to operate on adjusted routes that avoid Iranian airspace. These routes add approximately 90 minutes to 2 hours to typical journey times between India and Europe.
Flights between India and Gulf hub cities (Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi) continue to operate with limited disruption, as these routes do not transit Iranian airspace. If your connection is within the Gulf region, your flights are likely running close to normal.
Flights from India to European destinations via Gulf hubs are the most affected, with extended journey times and occasional schedule changes. Check directly with your airline before travelling.
Always verify current status with your specific airline before departing. Route and schedule decisions are made operationally, often with less than 24 hours' notice.
What to Do if You Have Flights Booked
Check your airline's travel advisory page daily. Most major carriers are updating these pages every 24 to 48 hours as the situation evolves. Look specifically for any waiver policy, which allows you to rebook or cancel without fees if your route is affected.
Review your travel insurance. Ensure your policy covers trip cancellation or disruption due to geopolitical events. If you purchased insurance after the conflict began (late February 2026), coverage for this specific event may be excluded. Read your policy carefully or call your insurer.
Do not rely on social media for real-time flight information. Use FlightAware, FlightRadar24, or your airline's app for live tracking.
Keep your embassy's contact details saved. The Indian Embassy in the UAE, Qatar, and Oman are all operational and have been issuing regular advisories. Register with your embassy if you are travelling to the region.
The Talks in Islamabad
US and Iranian officials are expected to begin formal negotiations in Islamabad on 10 April 2026 under Pakistani mediation. The outcome of these talks will be the strongest indicator of whether the ceasefire holds and whether conditions for normal airspace operations can be restored.
A durable agreement would likely take several weeks to translate into practical changes for commercial aviation, even under an optimistic scenario. Airlines will need formal confirmation of airspace reopening from aviation authorities before changing routes.
The Honest Assessment
The ceasefire announced on 8 April is a significant diplomatic development and the most positive news from the region since the conflict began on 28 February. It may prove to be the beginning of a genuine de-escalation. It may also not hold.
For travellers, the practical advice is unchanged from the past six weeks: verify before you fly, maintain flexibility in your itinerary wherever possible, and do not book non-refundable travel through the region until the ceasefire demonstrates stability over at least one to two weeks.
Monitor the Islamabad talks. If negotiations progress and the Strait of Hormuz reopens to shipping, that will be the clearest signal that the broader de-escalation is genuine and that normal air travel conditions are returning.
This article is based on information available as of 10 April 2026. The situation is evolving rapidly. Always check with your airline and relevant embassy before travelling. This is general information, not formal travel advice.