Indian airlines have been affected by the closure of Iranian airspace, with Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet issuing advisories asking passengers to regularly check flight status and stay updated on alternate routing.
The impact of Iran’s airspace closure has become visible across Indian aviation operations. Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet said some international services could be affected and advised passengers to remain in contact with the airlines and monitor updates.
Air India said its services to the United States and Europe have been the most affected. The Tata Group-owned carrier cancelled two flights from Delhi to New York and Newark, and one flight from Mumbai to New York. It also said several Europe-bound flights may face delays. The airline stated that alternate routes are being used to prioritise passenger safety, which could result in delays or cancellations.
IndiGo said the closure has affected some of its international operations. According to officials, flight schedules to Tashkent in Uzbekistan, Almaty in Kazakhstan, Baku in Azerbaijan and Tbilisi in Georgia have been adjusted. Flights to several European cities and to Istanbul in Türkiye have also been impacted. The airline said it is providing information and alternate options to affected passengers.
Air India generally uses Iranian airspace for its flights to the United States and Europe. With the airspace unavailable, Iraqi airspace may be used as an alternative, but the longer routing creates fuel limitations for several US-bound services, leading to cancellations. Airlines are also incurring higher fuel costs due to longer routes. Earlier, the closure of Pakistani airspace had forced Air India to take longer western routes, resulting in an estimated loss of about Rs 4,000 crore.
An Air India flight AI101 operating from Delhi to New York was forced to return to Delhi shortly after departure due to the Iranian airspace closure. The airline said that during taxiing in dense fog after landing in Delhi, the aircraft struck an external object, causing damage to the right engine. The airline said alternative arrangements were made for passengers, prioritising safety.
SpiceJet also issued an advisory stating that some flights may be affected due to the Iranian airspace closure. The airline said no flights have been cancelled so far, but advised passengers to remain alert as the situation evolves. SpiceJet said its teams are monitoring developments and working to provide alternate options to impacted passengers.
The closure of Iranian airspace comes amid rising tensions between Iran and the United States. The United States has deployed warships towards Iran, leading to disruptions in international aviation services. Citing security concerns and the risk of military confrontation, Iran closed its airspace, affecting flight operations across the region.
Airlines have advised passengers to frequently check flight status. Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet have asked travellers to stay updated through official contact channels and online platforms, and to consult airline websites or customer care for information on cancellations, alternate options and rerouting.
