Air India and IndiGo have failed to operate 64% of the 1,230 flights planned to the Middle East, Europe, and North America over the past 10 days. Airspace restrictions caused by the Iran war and the closure of Pakistan’s airspace are severely affecting Indian airlines.
Middle East Conflict Hits Indian Airlines Hard
According to flight data company Cirium, India’s largest international carriers, Air India and IndiGo, have missed the majority of their planned international flights over the past 10 days.
Experts note that the airspace restrictions in the Middle East due to the Iran war, combined with the critical corridor shortage following Pakistan’s closure of airspace to Indian carriers, have created a serious operational crisis for these airlines.
Independent aviation expert Amit Mittal said, “For Indian airlines operating international routes, this situation is a double blow.”
Challenges Specific to IndiGo
IndiGo operates its European flights using six long-range Boeing 737 MAX aircraft leased from Norse Atlantic Airways. The Norwegian registration of these aircraft requires compliance with EASA’s advice to avoid Middle Eastern airspace.
- Some flights had to be rerouted over Africa, extending flight times by up to 2 hours.
- A Delhi–Manchester flight returned due to Eritrean airspace permission being denied, remaining 13 hours in the air.
- The London–Mumbai flight on Monday was diverted to Cairo.
The recent resignation of IndiGo CEO Pieter Elbers and the operational crisis in December 2025 have further deepened the company’s challenges.
Air India Flight Times Increasing
Air India plans 78 additional flights next week on European and US routes to meet rising demand. However, flight durations on some routes are significantly increasing:
- The Delhi–New York flight took approximately 22 hours due to refueling in Rome.
- Before the Iran war, nonstop flight time via Iraq and Turkey was around 17 hours.
- Competitors Lufthansa and American Airlines can use shorter routes.
Due to Pakistan’s closed airspace and rising oil prices, Air India’s annual loss is projected to be around $600 million.
https://www.airportgundem.com/air-india-ve-indigo-1-230-ucusun-dunu-gerceklestiremedi/
