An IndiGo flight travelling from New Delhi to Manchester in the UK made a mid-air U-turn and began returning to Delhi on Monday after flying for nearly seven hours. The airline reversed the aircraft’s course after authorities imposed sudden airspace restrictions amid escalating tensions in West Asia, following military strikes by the US and Israel on Iran about 10 days ago. IndiGo operated the flight in partnership with Norwegian carrier Norse Atlantic Airways, and the aircraft had already crossed several international airspaces before the restrictions came into effect.
Flight-tracking platform Flightradar24 reported that the aircraft turned around near the Ethiopia–Eritrea border and is now heading back to the Indian capital. The diversion highlights how rapidly shifting geopolitical developments can disrupt international aviation routes, particularly across sensitive air corridors in the Middle East and nearby regions. Airlines are closely monitoring the situation and adjusting flight paths to ensure passenger safety and comply with the latest airspace regulations.
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IndiGo Monitoring Situation, Says Safety Is Top Priority
A spokesperson for IndiGo said the airline is closely monitoring the evolving situation in and around the Middle East, which could force some flights to take longer routes or divert. The spokesperson confirmed that IndiGo had to bring back flight 6E 033 from Delhi to Manchester after authorities imposed last-minute airspace restrictions amid the ongoing tensions in West Asia. The airline added that it is coordinating with relevant authorities to explore options to resume the journey and reiterated that the safety and security of passengers, crew and aircraft remain its top priority.
The conflict in West Asia, which began on February 28, has spread beyond Iran and Israel, with Iran launching strikes on US military bases across the Gulf region, including in Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Bahrain. While Saudi Arabia has accused Tehran of escalating aggression, Iranian authorities say they are targeting only American bases in retaliation for what they describe as an unprovoked attack. As tensions rise, authorities have closed large parts of the region’s airspace, disrupting several international flight routes, though airlines have continued limited operations — including flights to and from the United Arab Emirates — by using longer alternate paths.
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