IndiGo Flight Sidesteps Iran Airspace Amid Unexpected Shutdown

An IndiGo flight bound for Delhi narrowly averted entry into Iranian airspace as Tehran abruptly closed its skies amid rising unrest. This sudden action led to substantial disruptions in international flight operations, forcing many airlines to cancel or reroute their flights.

Tracking data revealed that IndiGo flight 6E1808, which took off from Tbilisi, Georgia, was over Iran at approximately 2:35 am on Thursday, just moments before the airspace was closed at 3 am. It is thought to have been the final non-Iranian passenger flight in the airspace before authorities issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM), ceasing the movement of most flights. A select number of approved international flights, however, were permitted to continue.

Iran’s aviation guidance indicated the closure endured for over four hours. Given Iran's significance as an east-west corridor for airlines, the shutdown had immediate repercussions on global aviation, as many international flights were rerouted around the region. By 7 am, the airspace seemed to reopen, allowing some domestic flights to take off again.

In the past, Iran has restricted its airspace during conflicts, such as a 12-day war with Israel in June and exchanges of fire during the Israel-Hamas confrontation. While no current military activities were reported, the closure spiked concerns regarding security risks, potential missile launches, and the chance of civilian flights being misidentified.

Indian airline operations faced severe impacts. Air India canceled several early morning flights, including routes like Delhi-New York JFK, Delhi-Newark, and Mumbai-JFK, along with their corresponding return trips. IndiGo’s flight from Baku to Delhi had to turn back within an hour due to its original route crossing over Iran. SpiceJet also confirmed the rerouting of some flights to ensure passenger safety.

Air India mentioned that they were rerouting flights wherever feasible, but some flights lacked safe alternatives and were therefore canceled. IndiGo and SpiceJet highlighted that their highest priority was the safety of passengers and crew and encouraged travelers to verify their flight status online.

Other international airlines, including Lufthansa, also adapted their operations by avoiding Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice and temporarily changing flights to Tel Aviv and Amman. This disruption highlights the strategic significance of Iran’s airspace and its ability to influence global aviation during critical situations.