Air India stops overflying Iran airspace as precautionary measure, reroutes planes via Iraq

Updated on: Jan 28, 2026, 02:05:02 IST

By HT News Desk

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Air India has stopped its flights from overflying the Iranian airspace as a precautionary measure, sources told HT.

This comes even as security concerns in the region grow amid nationwide protests in Iran.

The airline has rerouted its flights via Iraq.

This comes hours after IndiGo cancelled its flights to Tbilisi, Almaty, Tashkent and Baku till February 11. “We remain vigilant to developments in the region around Iran and are proactively reviewing flight operations, with safety being our highest priority,” the airline had said in a post on social media platform X.

IndiGo initially said it was cancelling its flights to and from Tbilisi (Georgia), Almaty (Kazakhstan), Tashkent (Uzbekistan) and Baku (Azerbaijan) on January 26, 27 and 28 in view of the prevailing situation in Iran and after careful assessment. However, the airline extended the cancellations.

According to an official cited by PTI news agency, IndiGo operates flights over the Iranian airspace for the above destinations and due to the current situation, it is avoiding the airspace.

The duration of these flights from India to these cities are generally in the range of six to seven hours. IndiGo operates its A320neo aircraft on these routes, which do not have the range and fuel holding capacity to fly on longer alternative routes, PTI reported.

What is the situation in Iran?

Iran, which has been seeing nationwide anti-regime protests over the past month spurred by calls from exiled crown prince Reza Pahlavi, has launched a crackdown on protestors participating in the agitation.

United States President Donald Trump had warned Iranian authorities over the crackdown, threatening action. US naval strike group led by aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln has arrived in the Middle East and is sailing in the Indian Ocean, the country's central command said.

“The Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group is currently deployed to the Middle East to promote regional security and stability,” the central command said in a post on X.

Following this, Iran unveiled a mural warning for the US, with the country's President on Tuesday warning that American “threats” would only cause instability, AFP reported.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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