IndiGo's First Flight To Manchester Returns Midair Amid West Asian Crisis, Makes Emergency Landing In Delhi

An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Manchester (UK) made an airborne return to Delhi, seven hours after taking off on Monday. Flight 6E33, approaching the Ethiopian border, abruptly turned back mid-air, causing panic among passengers.

According to flight-tracking service Flightradar24, the IndiGo flight, after taking off from Delhi, made a sudden U-turn as it approached airspace near the Ethiopian border. The plane then entered Indian airspace.

Flightradar24 data showed that the IndiGo flight had followed an unusual southern routing via the Gulf of Aden and parts of Africa and bypassed much of the Middle Eastern airspace.

This was IndiGo's first flight from Delhi to Manchester since February 26, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East. This flight returned from Delhi to Manchester after a flight of approximately seven hours.

IndiGo flight 6E33 (operated by Norse) made a U-turn on the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea and is returning to Delhi.
This was the first IndiGo Delhi - Manchester flight since the 26th of Feb. pic.twitter.com/McCeAUd2tS

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 9, 2026

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Why did IndiGo say?

IndiGo issued a statement saying that the airline decided to return as last-minute airspace restrictions were imposed. An IndiGo spokesperson said, "Due to the evolving situation in and around the Middle East, some of our flights may have to take longer routes or be diverted.

IndiGo has said that, due to the evolving situation in the Middle East, some flights may take longer routes or face diversions.  The spokesperson said, "We are working with the relevant authorities to explore the possibility of resuming travel. As always, the safety of our customers, crew and aircraft is of paramount importance to us."

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The war in the Middle East started after the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran on February 28, killing Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other top leaders of the Islamic Republic. Since then, Iran has targeted US bases in the neighbouring countries, along with other key infrastructure. 

Tehran too has faced fierce attacks since then. The latest episode has opened a wider theatre of conflict affecting almost all of the Middle East. The war has hugely affected the flight operations all across the globe.