Global air travel faced fresh turbulence on Thursday after Iran abruptly suspended civilian flight operations through its airspace, forcing several airlines to redraw routes and cancel services at short notice. Major Indian carriers, including Air India, IndiGo and SpiceJet, confirmed that the sudden move has disrupted multiple international flights, triggering delays and cancellations.

According to aviation sources, the decision to shut Iranian skies came amid a rapidly deteriorating internal and regional security environment. Iran has been witnessing intensified protests against its leadership, while tensions with the United States have also sharply escalated, raising concerns over aviation safety in the region.

Air India Reroutes, Cancels Select Flights

Air India acknowledged that a number of its long-haul flights, which usually pass through Iranian airspace, have been diverted via longer alternative routes. The airline said this has resulted in extended flying times and delays on several sectors. In cases where safe rerouting is not operationally viable, certain flights have been cancelled altogether.

The national carrier advised passengers to check the latest status of their flights before heading to airports, emphasising that passenger and crew safety remains its highest priority.

IndiGo and SpiceJet Also Impacted

Budget carrier IndiGo confirmed that some of its international services have been affected by the sudden closure. The airline said its operations teams are closely monitoring the situation and working to assist impacted passengers. IndiGo added that customers facing disruptions will be offered flexible options, including rescheduling or refunds.

SpiceJet also issued a travel alert, warning that select international flights may be impacted due to the restricted airspace. The airline encouraged passengers to stay updated through its official channels or contact customer support for assistance.

Regional Tensions Raise Aviation Concerns

Iranian aviation authorities reportedly issued a notice to pilots early Thursday, announcing the suspension of civilian flights through its airspace until at least 7:30 am local time. No formal explanation was provided, but the move has intensified anxiety within the aviation industry.

This is not the first time Iran has restricted its airspace during periods of heightened conflict. Similar measures were taken during past confrontations with Israel and during earlier phases of the Israel-Hamas conflict, reflecting persistent concerns over the safety of commercial aviation during military escalations.