Iran reopened its airspace after a near-five-hour closure amid concerns about possible military action between the US and Iran that forced airlines to cancel, reroute or delay some flights.Iran closed its airspace to all flights except international ones to and from Iran with official permission at 5:15 p.m. ET (2215 GMT) on Wednesday, according to a notice on the US.
Federal Aviation Administration website.The notice was removed shortly before 10 p.m. ET, or 0300 GMT, according to tracking service Flightradar24, which showed five flights from Iranian carriers Mahan Air, Yazd Airways and AVA Airlines were among the first to resume over the country.At a similar time last week to the airspace closure there had been dozens of planes in the air over Iran, Flightradar24 said.
Earlier, Iran said in a notice posted by the US Federal Aviation Administration that it had closed its airspace to all flights except international ones to and from Iran with official permission at 5:15 p.m. ET (2215 GMT). The prohibition was set to last for more than two hours until an estimated 7:30 p.m. ET, or 0030 GMT, but it was later extended.
Iranian airspace was empty of civilian airplanes at 8:30 p.m. ET except for one Mahan Air flight traveling to Tehran from Shenzhen, China, according to tracking data from Flightradar24.
Iran protests
The demonstrations began December 28 over the collapse of the Iranian rial currency, as the country's economy is squeezed by international sanctions levied in part over its nuclear program. US President Donald Trump has repeatedly warned about potential US military action over the killing of peaceful protesters, just months after American forces bombed Iranian nuclear sites during a 12-day war launched by Israel against the Islamic Republic in June.
Trump has been weighing a response to the situation in Iran, which is witnessing its biggest anti-government protests in years.
The United States was withdrawing some personnel from bases in the Middle East, a US official said on Wednesday, after a senior Iranian official said Tehran had warned neighbors it would hit American bases if Washington strikes.
Missile and drone barrages in a growing number of conflict zones represent a high risk to airline traffic.
How is it affecting Indian airlines?
India on Wednesday issued another advisory for Indian nationals regarding travel to Iran owing to the recent developments in the country. "In view of the ongoing developments in Iran, Indian nationals are once again strongly advised to avoid travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran until further notice," read the advisory issued by the Indian government.
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, said some of its international flights would be impacted by Iran’s sudden airspace closure. Air India said its flights were using alternative routes that could result in delays or cancellations.
“Due to the sudden airspace closure by Iran, some of our international flights are impacted. Our teams are working diligently to assess the situation and support affected customers by offering the best possible alternatives,” according to the advisory posted by Indigo on X.
Air India cancelled flights
Air India on Thursday cancelled at least three flights to the US, and certain services to Europe will face some delays due to Iranian airspace closure, according to a PTI source. At least three flights — two from the national capital to New York and Newark, and one from Mumbai to New York — have been cancelled, the source told PTI.
“Due to the emerging situation in Iran, the subsequent closure of its airspace, and in view of the safety of our passengers, Air India flights overflying the region are now using an alternative routing, which may lead to delays. Some Air India flights where currently rerouting is not possible are being cancelled,” as per the advisory message posted by Air India on the social media platform.
Air India uses Iranian airspace for flights to the US and Europe, and the alternative option is to fly over Iraq airspace. Since using Iraq's airspace will mean a longer duration, the aircraft will not have enough fuel to operate some of the services to the US, the source said. With the Pakistan airspace closure, Air India is already taking longer routes for many of the West-bound flights.
(With inputs from agency)