Air India has been forced to redraw its international flight map after Iran abruptly shut its airspace, triggering widespread disruption across global aviation routes. The national carrier on Thursday issued a travel alert, cautioning passengers about possible delays, diversions and cancellations as tensions in the region intensify.
The disruption follows Iran’s decision to suspend operations in the Tehran Flight Information Region (FIR), a key air corridor used by hundreds of international flights daily. The closure comes amid escalating internal unrest in Iran, marked by large-scale protests and rising geopolitical friction with the United States, raising serious safety concerns for civilian aircraft.
Aviation and security agencies in the West have reportedly flagged heightened risks to commercial flights, warning of potential missile activity and the danger of aircraft being mistakenly targeted by air defence systems during the volatile situation.
Acknowledging the situation, Air India said passenger and crew safety remains its “absolute priority.” The airline confirmed that flights originally scheduled to pass through Iranian airspace are now being diverted via alternative routes. These longer paths are expected to increase flight duration, leading to cascading delays across multiple sectors.
In some cases, Air India has suspended services altogether where rerouting is not feasible due to technical or operational constraints, particularly on ultra-long-haul routes connecting India with Europe and North America.
The airline has advised travellers to closely monitor their flight status through official channels before heading to airports, as schedules remain subject to rapid changes. “We regret the inconvenience caused, but safety considerations leave us with no alternative,” the airline said in its advisory.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of External Affairs has echoed concerns over the deteriorating situation, reiterating its warning against non-essential travel to Iran. Indians currently in the country have been advised to explore commercial exit options and stay in close contact with Indian diplomatic missions.
