Closure of Iranian Airspace Disrupts Indian and International Flights

Post by : Mina Rahman

An IndiGo flight bound for Delhi narrowly escaped entering Iranian airspace just before Tehran unexpectedly closed its borders due to escalating unrest. This sudden move caused significant disruptions in international aviation, compelling several airlines to reroute or cancel flights.

Flight-tracking data revealed that IndiGo flight 6E1808, which left Tbilisi, Georgia, flew above Iran shortly before the airspace was shut down at 3 am on Thursday, making it likely the final non-Iranian passenger flight to cross into that territory prior to the issuance of a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) that grounded most aircraft. Only a handful of approved international flights were permitted to operate during this time.

The airspace closure persisted for over four hours, according to Iranian aviation officials. Given the strategic role of Iran's air corridor for east-west travel, this shutdown had immediate repercussions for global aviation. Most international flights were diverted either north or south to bypass Iranian airspace, and by 7 am, some domestic flights were allowed to resume operations.

Iran has a history of restricting airspace amid conflicts, notably during a 12-day war with Israel in June and exchanges of fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Despite the absence of current military actions, the airspace closure raised alarms about potential security threats, misidentified civilian flights, and missile strikes.

Indian carriers felt a significant impact from this disruption, with Air India canceling early flights, including routes from Delhi to New York JFK, Newark, and Mumbai JFK, along with their return flights. IndiGo’s flight from Baku to Delhi had to turn back shortly after takeoff due to its flight path over Iran. SpiceJet also confirmed it would reroute several flights to prioritize passenger safety.

Air India noted that rerouting was conducted wherever feasible, but some flights without safe alternatives were canceled. IndiGo and SpiceJet reiterated their commitment to the safety of passengers and crew members, urging travelers to verify their flight status online.

Furthermore, other international airlines, including Lufthansa, have adjusted their operations to avoid both Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further updates, altering flights to Tel Aviv and Amman. This situation highlights the strategic significance of Iran’s airspace and its capacity to impact global air travel during crises.