Air India Diverts Over 15 Flights Amid Iran Airspace Closure After Israeli Strikes
Air India diverted or returned over 15 international flights early Friday after Iran closed its airspace following Israeli military strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites, including Tehran. As tensions mount, carriers rerouted to safer regions.
Flights from key global routes—including New York-Delhi, Mumbai–London, and Toronto–Delhi—were either redirected to alternate hubs like Vienna, Jeddah, Frankfurt, and Sharjah or headed back to origin cities like Mumbai and Delhi.
The situation escalated after Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, which targeted Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv closed temporarily, and Israeli air defenses remain on high alert for retaliation. El Al suspended flights, and Iraq also shut its airspace.
AI130 – London Heathrow-Mumbai – Diverted to Vienna
AI102 – New York-Delhi – Diverted to Sharjah
AI116 – New York-Mumbai – Diverted to Jeddah
AI2018 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Mumbai
AI129 – Mumbai-London Heathrow – Returning to Mumbai
AI119 – Mumbai-New York – Returning to Mumbai
AI103 – Delhi-Washington – Returning to Delhi
AI106 – Newark-Delhi – Returning to Delhi
AI188 – Vancouver-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah
AI101 – Delhi-New York – Diverting to Frankfurt/Milan
AI126 – Chicago-Delhi – Diverting to Jeddah
AI132 – London Heathrow-Bengaluru – Diverted to Sharjah
AI2016 – London Heathrow-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna
AI104 – Washington-Delhi – Diverted to Vienna
AI190 – Toronto-Delhi – Diverted to Frankfurt
AI189 – Delhi-Toronto – Returning to Delhi
Aviation experts warn that this is one of the most extensive disruptions in one of the world’s busiest air corridors—between Europe, North America, and India—since past incidents like Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 and MH17. CitiSource OPSGROUP recommended airlines exercise extreme caution.
Air India issued official advisories, offering refunds, rescheduling options, and accommodations. “Passenger safety remains our top priority,” said an airline source, urging travelers to confirm flight details online.
Major carriers including Emirates, Lufthansa, and flydubai also re-routed or suspended operations in the region amid rapidly changing security alerts.
This disruption compounds aviation challenges following April’s Pakistan airspace closure, which saddled airlines with costly reroutes. Analysts expect operational costs to rise further for Indian carriers like Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet.
As diplomatic tensions escalate, airlines continue to reconfigure flight paths across Central Asia and the Gulf, prioritizing passenger safety amid an evolving crisis.
