Indian airlines are facing significant disruptions to long-haul flights to the United States following Iran’s abrupt closure of its airspace, resulting in cancellations and rerouted services.
Indian carriers operating long-haul international routes are experiencing major disruptions after Iran unexpectedly closed its airspace. This development has forced airlines to cancel flights to the United States and reroute several services bound for Europe. The situation has added further strain to global aviation networks already grappling with geopolitical instability in West Asia.
On Thursday, Air India cancelled at least three nonstop flights to the United States, including two services from Delhi to New York and Newark, as well as one flight from Mumbai to New York. Sources familiar with the situation indicated that these cancellations were made as the airline reassessed flight safety and operational feasibility in light of the airspace closure.
In a statement posted on social media, Air India acknowledged the disruption and emphasized that passenger safety was its primary concern. The airline stated, “Due to the emerging situation in Iran and the subsequent closure of its airspace, flights overflying the region are now using alternative routing, which may lead to delays. Some Air India flights where rerouting is not currently possible are being cancelled.”
Air India expressed regret over the inconvenience caused, describing the disruption as unforeseen and beyond its control.
Iranian airspace is a critical corridor for Indian airlines operating westbound routes, particularly long-haul flights to North America and Europe. With Pakistan’s airspace already unavailable to Indian carriers, airlines had increasingly relied on Iran as a key transit zone. The closure has now left airlines with limited alternatives for routing their flights.
One option is to route flights through Iraq’s airspace, but this significantly lengthens flight times. For ultra-long-haul routes to the United States, the added distance creates serious operational challenges. Sources have indicated that the extended routing results in fuel limitations, making it impossible for certain aircraft to complete nonstop journeys safely. Consequently, airlines have been forced to either cancel flights outright or explore technical stops, complicating schedules and crew logistics.
While some US services have been cancelled, flights to Europe are also being affected. Air India has indicated that several Europe-bound flights are being rerouted and may experience longer travel times and delays as aircraft avoid restricted airspace. With both Iranian and Pakistani airspace unavailable, westbound flights from India are now taking circuitous paths, which increases fuel burn, crew duty hours, and operational costs. Aviation analysts warn that prolonged restrictions could lead to schedule rationalization, fare volatility, and further cancellations if the situation persists.
The disruption is not limited to Air India. Budget carrier IndiGo has confirmed that some of its international flights have also been impacted by the sudden closure. IndiGo stated, “Due to the sudden airspace closure by Iran, some of our international flights are impacted. Our teams are working diligently to assess the situation and support affected customers by offering the best possible alternatives.”
Similarly, SpiceJet has cautioned passengers that certain services may be affected and advised travelers to stay updated on flight schedules.
The airspace shutdown comes amid escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, raising concerns that the situation could deteriorate further. Aviation experts note that airlines are particularly sensitive to developments in conflict zones, as airspace restrictions can be imposed with little notice. An aviation industry analyst remarked, “Airlines always err on the side of caution. When geopolitical risk rises, especially involving military posturing or potential conflict, airlines reassess routes immediately to protect passengers and crew.”
For passengers, the disruption has resulted in cancellations, delays, and rebooking challenges, particularly for those traveling to the US on time-sensitive itineraries. Airlines are offering alternate routings where possible, but limited options mean longer travel times and, in some cases, postponed journeys. If Iranian airspace remains closed for an extended period, airlines may be forced to reduce frequencies, deploy aircraft with different range capabilities, or introduce stopovers on routes that were previously nonstop.
Currently, Indian carriers are closely monitoring developments and coordinating with aviation authorities to minimize passenger inconvenience. However, with multiple airspace closures converging at once, the situation underscores how quickly global travel can be disrupted by geopolitical events far from departure and destination cities.
As tensions in the region continue to evolve, travelers are advised to check flight status regularly, allow extra time for connections, and remain flexible with their travel plans in the coming days, according to Global Net News.