Iran Airspace Closure Disrupts International Flights, Air India and IndiGo Among Affected Carriers

Iran’s sudden decision to temporarily close its airspace early Thursday triggered widespread disruption to international flight operations, affecting multiple global airlines, including Indian carriers Air India and IndiGo. The closure came amid escalating tensions between Washington and Tehran, as the United States continued to issue strong warnings over Iran’s violent response to ongoing anti-government protests.

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly threatened potential American intervention in response to the Iranian government’s crackdown, which has reportedly resulted in numerous civilian deaths. Against this backdrop, concerns have intensified over the possibility of US military action, prompting aviation authorities and airlines to reassess the safety of operating over Iranian territory.

Although Iran reopened its airspace after a temporary shutdown lasting several hours, flight-tracking data showed that most foreign airlines continued to avoid Iranian airspace even after restrictions were lifted on Thursday morning. Domestic aviation operations within Iran, however, resumed gradually.

Aviation experts note that airlines typically avoid flying over regions experiencing heightened geopolitical risk, armed conflict, or military activity, prioritizing passenger and crew safety. As a result, even brief airspace closures can have prolonged ripple effects on international flight schedules.

Indian carriers are particularly exposed to disruptions in Iranian airspace, as flights connecting India with Europe, the United States, Central Asia, and the Caucasus region routinely pass through Iranian territory. Notably, no Indian airline currently operates direct flights to or from Iran, but overflight permissions remain critical for long-haul operations.

Air India and IndiGo, India’s two largest international carriers, confirmed early Thursday that several of their flights were affected due to the evolving situation. The impact included rerouting, delays, and in some cases, cancellations where alternative routes were not operationally viable.

The disruption poses an additional challenge for Indian airlines, as Pakistan has barred Indian aircraft from using its airspace for several months. If Iranian airspace remains intermittently closed or is deemed unsafe for extended periods, flight operations to key destinations could become significantly more complex.

In a passenger advisory, Air India stated that its aircraft operating over the region were being diverted via alternate routings to ensure safety. The airline warned that such rerouting could lead to extended flight times and delays, and confirmed that certain services had to be canceled where rerouting was not feasible. Several Air India flights to and from the United States were among those affected.

IndiGo also acknowledged the disruption, stating that some of its international services were impacted by Iran’s abrupt airspace restriction. “Our teams are working diligently to assess the situation and support affected customers by offering the best possible alternatives,” the airline said in a statement.

According to flight-tracking platform Flightradar24, IndiGo’s Tbilisi-to-Delhi flight 6E1804 was the final non-Iranian passenger aircraft to pass through Iranian airspace before the closure was enforced. Following the shutdown, another IndiGo aircraft operating flight 6E1804 from Baku to Delhi was forced to return to Baku.

IndiGo’s services to Central Asia and the Caucasus have already been operating on longer routings due to Pakistan’s airspace restrictions. The airline now faces the prospect of even longer detours if Iranian airspace remains unavailable, potentially requiring technical fuel stops and further increasing travel times.

Industry sources indicate that airlines may be compelled to reassess the viability of certain routes if disruptions persist, as extended flight durations and additional operational costs could impact schedules, fares, and passenger convenience.