Air India Issues Travel Advisory Amid Middle East Tensions: Rerouted Flights and Delays

Amid rising tensions in the Middle East, Air India has issued a travel advisory for passengers, highlighting potential delays and route changes. The airline confirmed that several of its international flights are now operating on longer, alternate routes due to the closure of Iranian airspace.

This decision comes as a safety precaution to ensure the well-being of travellers flying to and from affected regions, particularly Europe and North America.

What Passengers Need to Know

Air India took to the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to inform travellers of the rerouting. In its official statement, the airline said:

“Due to the emerging situation in Iran and parts of the Middle East, the subsequent closure of airspace, and because of the safety of our passengers, some of our flights are operating on alternative extended routes. We are doing our best to minimise any inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen airspace closure.”

This means some flights may take significantly longer than usual, with possible knock-on effects including delays and cancellations.

Affected Air India Routes as of Yesterday

Several major Air India flights experienced rerouting and diversions on June 13, 2025, due to the regional airspace restrictions. Some flights were redirected to nearby airports for technical stops, while others had to return to their origin city.

✈️ Rerouted Flights:

• AI130 (London–Mumbai) – Diverted to Vienna
• AI102 (New York–Delhi) – Diverted to Sharjah
• AI116 (New York–Mumbai) – Diverted to Jeddah
• AI2018 (London–Delhi) – Diverted to Mumbai
• AI106 (Newark–Delhi) – Diverted to Vienna
• AI188 (Vancouver–Delhi) – Diverted to Jeddah
• AI101 (Delhi–New York) – Diverted to Frankfurt or Milan
• AI126 (Chicago–Delhi) – Diverted to Jeddah
• AI132 (London–Bengaluru) – Diverted to Sharjah
• AI2016 (London–Delhi) – Diverted to Vienna
• AI104 (Washington–Delhi) – Diverted to Vienna
• AI190 (Toronto–Delhi) – Diverted to Frankfurt

🔁 Flights Returned to Origin:

• AI129 (Mumbai–London) – Returned to Mumbai
• AI119 (Mumbai–New York) – Returned to Mumbai
• AI103 (Delhi–Washington) – Returned to Delhi
• AI189 (Delhi–Toronto) – Returned to Delhi

These diversions were the result of abrupt airspace closures and operational constraints, forcing the airline to make unplanned technical stops in Vienna, Sharjah, Jeddah, and Frankfurt.

Check Before You Travel: Air India’s Advisory

Passengers flying in the coming days are strongly advised to:

• Check their flight status before heading to the airport.
• Expect longer travel times on select routes.
• Stay informed via Air India’s official social media channels and website.

To assist passengers, Air India has also released dedicated helpline numbers:

• 011 69329333
• 011 69329999

These numbers can be used for updates on flight delays, cancellations, and reroutes.

Broader Impact on International Travel

Air India isn’t alone in adjusting operations. Several international carriers that fly over Middle Eastern airspace have also rerouted flights, particularly those operating between India and destinations in Europe or North America.

The ripple effect of airspace closures may impact:

• Flight durations
• Airline schedules
• Passenger connection times

Travellers planning long-haul trips should monitor updates from their respective airlines and consider buffer times for connecting flights.

Final Tips for Air India Passengers

If you’re booked to fly with Air India in the next few days:

• Double-check your itinerary.
• Sign up for real-time alerts.
• Arrive early at the airport in case of last-minute changes.

Safety remains the airline’s top priority, and passengers are urged to stay informed and flexible during this evolving situation.