At least 16 Air India flights were either diverted or forced to return to their departure airports on Friday after Iran closed its airspace. This happened following a major Israeli airstrike in Tehran. Iran’s decision to shut its skies affected many international flights.

Air India confirmed that multiple services between India, the UK, the US, and Canada were affected. Some flights were diverted to other cities, while others had to return to where they started. The airline said this step was taken “in the interest of passenger safety”.

Flights affected

Here are some of the key affected flights:

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

Refunds and new travel plans

Air India said it is offering refunds or free rescheduling for affected passengers. The airline is also helping with new travel plans for those who still wish to fly.

What triggered this?

On Friday morning, Israel attacked several places in Iran, including the capital, Tehran. Israel’s targets included Iran’s nuclear program. This was one of the most serious attacks Iran has faced since the 1980s war with Iraq.

Iranian state TV reported that General Hossein Salami, the head of the Revolutionary Guard, was killed. Other top military officials and scientists were also believed to have died.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of “severe punishment” against Israel in response.

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