Air India, IndiGo And SpiceJet Issue Travel Advisory, Possible Cancellations After Iran Closes Airspace

New Delhi: International air travel from India has been disrupted after Iran closed its airspace, forcing major Indian carriers to reroute, issue advisories, and cancel select long-haul flights.

Airlines, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, have warned passengers of possible delays and cancellations, citing safety concerns and operational constraints.

According to sources and official airline statements, the sudden closure has forced aircraft to take longer alternative routes, affecting fuel planning, schedules and connectivity, especially on the United States (US)- and Europe-bound sectors.

Air India Cancels US Flights, Europe Services Face Delays

Air India on Thursday cancelled at least three flights to the US, while certain services to Europe are expected to face delays, according to a source.

At least three flights — two from the national capital to New York and Newark, and one from Mumbai to New York — have been cancelled, a source told PTI. The return flights on these sectors have also been cancelled, news agency IANS reported.

In a post on X, Air India said that, due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of passenger safety, flights overflying the region are now using alternative routings, which may lead to delays.

Regretting the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen disruption, the airline said, “Some Air India flights where currently rerouting is not possible are being cancelled.”

Air India typically uses Iranian airspace for its long-haul flights to the US and Europe. With this corridor now unavailable, aircraft are being routed over Iraqi airspace.

However, this significantly increases flight duration, and in some cases, aircraft may not carry enough fuel to operate nonstop services to certain US destinations, the source told PTI.

With Pakistan’s airspace already closed to Indian carriers, Air India is already taking longer routes for many west-bound flights, further compounding operational challenges.

Airlines Issue Advisories, Ask Passengers To Check Flight Status

In a detailed advisory, Air India urged passengers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport.

“We request passengers to check the status of their flights on our website before heading to the airport. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen disruption. Safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority,” the airline said.

IndiGo also confirmed that some of its international services have been impacted. “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,” IndiGo said in a post on X.

IndiGo’s Baku-Delhi flight, scheduled for early morning, reportedly had to return to Azerbaijan within an hour of departure, as it was set to overfly Iranian territory after crossing the Caspian Sea.

The airline added that affected passengers can explore flexible rebooking options or claim refunds. “This development is beyond our control, and we regret the disruption it may have caused to your travel plans,” it noted.

SpiceJet, too, issued a travel update, advising passengers to check their flight status on its website or through its customer support channels.

“Due to airspace closure in Iran, some of our flights may be affected,” the airline said in a post on X.

Reroutes, Returns And Wider Global Impact

According to the agency IANS, Iranian authorities ordered the closure of the country’s airspace without providing an official explanation, amid escalating tensions with the US and widespread protests in several Iranian cities. As a result, multiple airlines have been forced to reroute or cancel flights.

Other international carriers have also been affected. A Lufthansa spokesperson said the airline group has decided to operate certain Middle East routes only as daytime services until January 19, 2026, and will continue to avoid Iranian and Iraqi airspace until further notice.

“In some cases, there may also be flight cancellations,” the spokesperson added.

India Issues Advisory for Nationals in Iran

Meanwhile, India has also issued advisories for its nationals in Iran. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) urged Indian citizens to avoid non-essential travel to the country and asked those currently in Iran to exercise caution.

“Indian nationals are advised to avoid non-essential travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice,” the MEA said, adding that those already in the country should avoid protest areas and remain in contact with the Indian Embassy in Tehran.

(With inputs from agencies.)

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