US, Israel attack Iran: Air India Tel Aviv flight returning to India; fuelling stop in Europe likely for North America flights | India News
New Delhi: Airlines flying to, from, and through areas affected by the US-Israeli strikes against Iran are now cleaning up the same and trying to find ways to evacuate their crews. Going forward, flights between the West and India, among other places in the East, will now be longer, and fuel cuts are likely for North American routes.When hostilities began in Iran, hundreds of commercial flights were either overflying or entering the affected airspace from Iran to Israel. was among them Air IndiaIts Delhi-Tel Aviv flight (AI 139) was in Saudi airspace at the time. The airline asked the pilots to turn back and fly to Mumbai. AI’s Chicago-Delhi flight (AI 126) was about to enter Iraqi airspace and took the long way home, diverting to Syria instead. AI is now working to evacuate its crew from Tel Aviv.
AI139 operating from Delhi to Tel Aviv on February 28 is returning to Mumbai due to the closure of airspace in Israel and for the safety of passengers and crew. Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen situation and is committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety. We will continue to assess the safety and security of our flight operations and maintain a safe environment,” an Air India spokesperson said.AI has stopped its night flights to Iraq and to Europe since Friday night, people familiar with the matter said. US flights used to flow into Iraq during the day and are now off. AI’s North American flights can now stop for fuel in Vienna or Rome. IndiGo is also dealing with the impact on its flights.For Indian carriers, the entire airspace west from Pakistan to Iraq is a no-go area that will affect all flights from Europe, UK and North America. IndiGo’s CIS flights will be affectedAI’s request to use the Hotan waypoint in northwest China has not yet been clarified. If allowed to take that route through the high mountains, AI believes it could exit Pakistani airspace for flights to and from Europe/UK/North America.
