IndiGo Delhi–Manchester Flight Turns Back Mid-Air
Aircraft returns to Delhi after seven hours due to sudden West Asia airspace restrictions
- IndiGo flight 6E33 forced to return to Delhi after flying nearly seven hours
- Diversion caused by last-minute airspace restrictions amid Middle East tensions
- Aircraft had taken longer southern route to avoid conflict zones
- Airline says safety of passengers and crew remains top priority
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 9th March: An IndiGo flight operating from Delhi to Manchester was forced to return mid-air after flying for nearly seven hours due to sudden airspace restrictions linked to the escalating tensions in West Asia.
The aircraft, operating as flight 6E33, had departed from Delhi early Monday morning and was en route to Manchester in the United Kingdom when the airline decided to turn it back.
According to flight tracking service Flightradar24, the aircraft made a U-turn near the Ethiopia–Eritrea border and is now returning to the national capital.
The flight had resumed operations on the Delhi–Manchester route after a gap since February 26. Under normal conditions, the journey typically takes about 11 hours to cover the approximately 6,829-kilometre distance between the two cities.
Flight tracking data shows that the aircraft had already been in the air for around seven hours before the diversion was ordered.
Despite avoiding the active conflict zones, the flight was operating on a longer southern route that passed through the Gulf of Aden and parts of Africa, bypassing large sections of Middle Eastern airspace due to heightened tensions in the region.
The decision to return was taken after sudden changes in airspace restrictions across parts of West Asia.
In a statement, an IndiGo spokesperson said the airline had to take the precautionary step following last-minute developments in the region.
“Due to the evolving situation in and around the Middle East, some of our flights may take longer routes or experience diversions. Our flight 6E033 operating from Delhi to Manchester had to return to its origin due to last-minute airspace restrictions owing to the ongoing situation in West Asia,” the airline said.
The airline added that it is working with authorities to assess whether the journey can resume.
“We are working with the relevant authorities to explore the possibilities of resuming the journey. As always, safety and security of our customers, crew and aircraft is of utmost importance to us,” the spokesperson added.
The diversion highlights the growing impact of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on international aviation routes, forcing airlines to adjust flight paths or suspend services due to rapidly changing airspace restrictions.
The regional conflict intensified after United States and Israeli forces carried out joint strikes on Iran on February 28, triggering retaliatory attacks by Iran on Israeli targets and US military installations across the region.
