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The Indian Association of Tour Operators (IATO) on Sunday reported a noticeable rise in booking cancellations and rescheduling requests, particularly for sectors connecting India with Europe via major Gulf hubs, due to airspace restrictions arising from the Middle East crisis. IATO President Ravi Gosain told PTI that travel agents across the country are working closely with airlines and overseas partners to minimise inconvenience to passengers by facilitating re-bookings, refunds, and alternate routings. "While there is short-term uncertainty, we expect the situation to stabilise, and travellers are being advised to stay in touch with their agents and avoid panic cancellations, as airlines are offering suitable options in most cases," he said. The conflict between Israel, the US, and Iran has resulted in multiple airspace closures in the Middle East, massively disrupting flight operations.
Not long ago, a table for one drew awkward glances from fellow guests and zero attention from servers while a solo travel itinerary invited quiet pity. It's very different today. And it's not just about burying your nose in a book or working on a laptop in a coffee shop or co-working space. Indians, led by millennials and Gen Zs, are out and about, busy rewriting the rules -- one solo plan at a time. Be it 25-year-old student Kanika Saluja or 72-year-old retired banker Amit Gupta, one is enough. And they are making it count. Most important, for both, going solo does not translate to being lonely. In fact, it is a statement of liberation. Unapologetic and entirely by choice. "I've done the years of running around for work and family. Now, if I step out alone, it's for pleasure -- a meal I enjoy or a short trip at my own pace. There's no coordination, no pressure. Just peace," Noida-based Gupta told PTI. Gupta, who is going the solitary way quietly and without hashtags, added with .