Mumbai : In a dramatic turn of events, an Air India flight bound for London from Mumbai was forced to return mid-air after nearly three hours of flight time, reportedly due to escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East.
According to data from Flightradar24, the flight departed Mumbai at 5:39 AM and remained airborne for approximately three hours before heading back to its origin. The unexpected U-turn was attributed to the sudden closure of Iranian airspace, a critical corridor for West-bound flights.
Air India, in an official statement, confirmed that several of its international routes have been impacted due to the current situation in Iran. “Due to the evolving situation in Iran and the subsequent airspace closure, some of our flights are being rerouted, while others are returning to their departure point,” the airline said.
“We deeply regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers. Measures are being taken to minimise disruption, including hotel accommodations, refunds, or complimentary rescheduling for affected guests,” the statement added.
The disruption comes in the wake of fresh Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, which Tel Aviv described as “preemptive.” The attacks, launched on Friday and continuing into the night, have escalated regional tensions significantly. Iran responded by activating its air defense systems, and the Civil Aviation Authority announced the closure of the country’s airspace to all commercial flights.
Simultaneously, Israel has enforced a full-scale airspace lockdown and elevated emergency preparedness on both its northern and southern fronts, further straining the already volatile situation.
Passengers on the affected Air India flight have been assured that alternative travel arrangements are being made promptly. The airline is coordinating with relevant authorities and monitoring the situation closely to ensure safety and timely service restoration.
