Air India Cancels Select US Flights Following Iran Airspace Closure
Flights to New York and Newark affected; rerouting over Iraq leads to delays as tensions rise between Iran and the US.
New Delhi, Jan 15: Air India on Thursday cancelled at least three flights to the United States and warned of potential delays for certain Europe bound services due to the closure of Iranian airspace.
A source confirmed that two flights from Delhi to New York and Newark, along with one from Mumbai to New York, have been cancelled. The airline cited passenger safety amid the emerging situation in Iran as the reason for the disruption.
In a post on X, Air India said, “Flights overflying the region are now using an alternative routing, which may lead to delays. Some flights where rerouting is not currently possible are being cancelled. We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption.”
Air India typically uses Iranian airspace for flights to the US and Europe. The alternative is to fly over Iraq, which increases flight duration and fuel requirements. This makes some US bound services unviable, leading to cancellations.
The airline is also contending with longer routes due to Pakistan’s airspace closure, further affecting westbound flights. The developments come amid mounting tensions between Iran and the United States, raising concerns over a possible escalation.
