Air India diverts multiple international flights after Iran closes airspace following Israeli strikes

In a post on X, Air India said "every effort was being made to minimise the disruption". Representational Image

The closure of airspace in Iran amid its ongoing tensions with Israel has forced Air India to divert its flights on another route. On Friday, Air India announced that several of its international flights have either been diverted or sent back to their origin due to the emerging situation in Iran and the closure of its airspace.

In a post on social media platform X, Air India stated, "Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace and in view of the safety of our passengers, the following Air India flights are either being diverted or returning to their origin."

• AI130 from London Heathrow to Mumbai has been diverted to Vienna.
• AI102 from New York to Delhi diverted to Sharjah.
• AI116 from New York to Mumbai diverted to Jeddah.
• AI2018 from London Heathrow to Delhi was diverted to Mumbai
• AI129 from Mumbai to London Heathrow, returning to Mumbai
• AI119 from Mumbai to New York, returning to Mumbai
• AI103 from Delhi to Washington, returning to Delhi
• AI106 from Newark to Delhi diverting to Vienna
• AI188 from Vancouver to Delhi diverting to Jeddah
• AI101 from Delhi to New York, diverting to Frankfurt/Milan
• AI126 from Chicago to Delhi diverting to Jeddah
• AI132 from London Heathrow to Bengaluru diverted to Sharjah.
• AI2016 from London Heathrow to Delhi was diverted to Vienna.
• AI104 from Washington to Delhi diverted to Vienna.
• AI190 from Toronto to Delhi diverted to Frankfurt.
• AI189 from Delhi to Toronto, returning to Delhi.

In a post on its X handle, Air India expressed regret over the inconvenience caused to its passengers and assured that every effort was being made to minimise the disruption.

The airline further went on to say, "We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimise it, including providing accommodation for passengers. Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling are also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations."

Air India has also appealed to passengers to verify and cross-check their flight status before departing, as tensions between the two countries rose rapidly following Israel's preemptive strike on Iran.

According to The Times of Israel, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed the strike and declared a nationwide emergency in light of the unfolding developments.

In a statement, Katz said, "A missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate future," and said he signed "a special order, according to which a special state of emergency will be imposed in the home front throughout the entire State of Israel."

The Israeli Defence Minister has also urged citizens to "obey the instructions of the Home Front Command and the authorities and remain in the protected areas," The Times of Israel reported.

As sirens wailed across Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened his security cabinet while the IDF confirmed launching an aerial campaign against Iran's nuclear programme.

In an operation known as "Nation of Lions", the Israeli Air Force hit dozens of targets in Iran related to the nuclear programme and other military facilities.

(With ANI Inputs)