Amid escalating geopolitical tensions, Air India has announced major diversions and flight turnarounds due to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace, citing passenger safety as its top priority. The airline released a list of 16 international flights that have been rerouted or recalled to their point of origin as air corridors over Iran become inaccessible following Israel’s military offensive.
Key Air India flight disruptions as of Friday:
-
AI130 (London Heathrow–Mumbai): Diverted to Vienna
-
AI102 (New York–Delhi): Diverted to Sharjah
-
AI116 (New York–Mumbai): Diverted to Jeddah
-
AI2018 (London Heathrow–Delhi): Diverted to Mumbai
-
AI129 (Mumbai–London Heathrow): Returned to Mumbai
-
AI119 (Mumbai–New York): Returned to Mumbai
-
AI103 (Delhi–Washington): Returned to Delhi
-
AI106 (Newark–Delhi): Returned to Delhi
-
AI188 (Vancouver–Delhi): Diverted to Jeddah
-
AI101 (Delhi–New York): Diverted to Frankfurt/Milan
-
AI126 (Chicago–Delhi): Diverted to Jeddah
-
AI132 (London Heathrow–Bengaluru): Diverted to Sharjah
-
AI2016 (London Heathrow–Delhi): Diverted to Vienna
-
AI104 (Washington–Delhi): Diverted to Vienna
-
AI190 (Toronto–Delhi): Diverted to Frankfurt
-
AI189 (Delhi–Toronto): Returned to Delhi
The Indian carrier stated that these changes were necessary to ensure the safety of passengers, following sudden and intense airspace restrictions over Iran.
This operational crisis also follows closely on the heels of a devastating tragedy involving Air India flight AI171, a Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner operating on the Ahmedabad–London Gatwick route, which crashed shortly after takeoff on June 12. The flight, with 242 people onboard, including two pilots and ten crew members, issued a MAYDAY call but lost contact with ATC moments later.
The aircraft crashed into a densely populated residential zone in the Meghani Nagar locality near Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, resulting in widespread destruction. In addition to the aircraft fatalities, over 75 civilians from the neighborhood are feared dead, taking the confirmed death toll to 317.
Authorities have begun investigations, and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has confirmed that the aircraft was commanded by Capt. Sumeet Sabharwal, an experienced pilot with over 8,200 flight hours. The exact cause of the crash remains under investigation.
As the airline grapples with twin emergencies—both operational and humanitarian—Air India is working with local and international authorities to ensure assistance and support for all affected families.
