Iran Shuts Airspace, Global Aviation Faces Disruption
Iran abruptly closed its airspace to all flights at 5:15 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. This corresponds to 2215 GMT or 3:45 a.m. Indian Standard Time on Thursday. The closure permits only international services with official clearance to enter or leave the country. The Federal Aviation Administration website published a notice detailing this development. Reuters reported the information, highlighting the sudden nature of the decision.
Indian Airlines Issue Advisories Amid Cancellations
India's largest airline, IndiGo, confirmed the impact on its operations. The carrier stated that some of its international flights face disruptions due to Iran's airspace closure. IndiGo posted a message on social media platform X, explaining the situation. "The situation is beyond our control," the airline said. "Due to the sudden airspace closure by Iran, some of our international flights are impacted."
IndiGo encouraged affected passengers to visit its official website. Travelers can explore flexible rebooking options or claim refunds based on their preferences. The airline emphasized customer support during this period of uncertainty.
Air India also addressed the operational challenges. The national carrier noted that flights normally passing over Iranian airspace now take alternate routes. These detours could cause significant delays for passengers. Air India further stated that some flights face cancellation when rerouting proves impossible. The airline shared this update on its X account, keeping travelers informed.
Global Carriers Adjust Routes as Tensions Escalate
International airlines quickly reacted to the airspace shutdown. An Aeroflot flight bound for Tehran turned back to Moscow after the closure. Flightradar24 data confirmed this diversion. Earlier on Wednesday, Germany warned its airlines to avoid Iranian airspace entirely.
Lufthansa adjusted its Middle East operations as regional tensions intensified. The German airline said it would avoid both Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice. Lufthansa also plans to operate only daytime flights to Tel Aviv and Amman through next Monday. This measure prevents crew overnight stays in the region.
The United States already bans its commercial airlines from flying over Iran. No direct routes exist between the two countries. Other carriers like flydubai and Turkish Airlines cancelled several Iran-bound flights in the past week. Many airlines have scaled back services or halted operations completely.
Safe Airspace, a flight-risk information site run by OPSGROUP, reported the widespread avoidance. Most airlines now steer clear of Iranian airspace. The group warned that the situation indicates potential security or military activity. Possible missile launches or heightened air-defense responses raise risks. Civilian aircraft face the danger of misidentification in such a tense environment.
India Strongly Advises Citizens Against Travel to Iran
The Ministry of External Affairs issued a strong advisory on Wednesday. The MEA strongly advised Indian nationals to avoid travel to Iran until further notice. Rising tensions and ongoing protests in the country prompted this warning.
"In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice," the MEA stated. This advisory follows an earlier warning issued on January 5. Concerns over the worsening security situation in Iran led to both notices.
Separately, the Indian Embassy in Tehran advised Indian nationals currently in Iran to leave promptly. The embassy specifically addressed students, pilgrims, business persons, and tourists. It urged them to depart Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights.
"In continuation of the advisory issued by the Government of India on 5 January 2025, and in view of the evolving situation in Iran, Indian nationals who are currently in Iran are advised to leave Iran by available means of transport, including commercial flights," the embassy added on X.
This remains a developing story with more updates expected. The aviation industry and travelers worldwide monitor the situation closely as tensions persist.
