Indian airlines issue advisories as Iran closes airspace amid ongoing protests
PTC News Desk: Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet said on Thursday that some of their international flights have been affected because Iran closed its airspace due to widespread protests against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei and rising tensions with the US.
Air India posted on X (formerly Twitter) warning passengers about possible delays for flights that usually pass over Iran and cancellations for those that cannot be rerouted.
The airline said, “Because of the situation in Iran and the closure of its airspace, our flights are now taking alternate routes for safety. This may cause delays. Some flights that cannot be rerouted are being cancelled.”
Iran shut its skies to commercial flights early Thursday, according to a notice sent to pilots, but did not give a reason. The closure is expected to last until 7:30 am local time. The decision comes as Tehran continues to suppress nationwide protests, while fears of a US reaction add to regional tension. Iran has done this before—during the 12-day conflict with Israel in June and during clashes linked to the Israel-Hamas war.
Airlines avoiding Iranian airspace
SafeAirspace, a platform that monitors aviation risks, reported that many airlines have already cut down or stopped flights in the region, with most carriers now avoiding Iranian airspace. It also warned that the situation could involve military or security activity, such as missile launches or air defence action, which increases the risk of civilian aircraft being misidentified.
Air India has advised passengers to check their flight status before going to the airport.
In a post early Thursday, IndiGo also said some of its international flights were "impacted" due to the "sudden airspace closure" by Iran.
"Our teams are working diligently to assess the situation and support affected customers by offering the best possible alternatives," it said.
"This development is beyond our control, and we regret the disruption it may have caused to your travel plans. If your flight is impacted, we encourage you to visit our website to explore flexible rebooking options or to claim a refund, as per your preference," it added.
- With inputs from agencies
