Wings off course as Iran shuts skies

THE CLOSURE OF the Iranian airspace following military attacks by Israel early on Friday led to diversions, longer travel durations and cancellations of international flights operated by Air India and IndiGo.

- SWARAJ BAGGONKAR

Israel on Friday said it targeted Iran's nuclear facilities, ballistic missile factories and military commanders at the start of what it warned would be a prolonged operation to prevent Tehran from building an atomic weapon.

Tel Aviv's Ben Gurion Airport was closed and Israel's air defence units stood on high alert for possible retaliatory strikes from Iran.

At least 16 flights to or from the UK, Canada and the US flown by Air India and a couple of flights to Istanbul from Delhi and Mumbai operated by IndiGo were impacted.

Since the Pakistan airspace remains shut for Indian airlines, the routes to the western part of the globe have become even longer. Flights taking off from the northern cities, such as Delhi, are the most impacted.

According to the navigation data provided by Flightradar24, all airlines are seen taking a more circuitous route involving overflying Egypt, Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

Air India flights to Delhi, Bengaluru and Mumbai from New York, Newark, Vancouver, Chicago, Washington, Toronto and London were diverted to Sharjah, Jeddah, Frankfurt and Vienna.