Major Airline Cancels Flights to United States Amid Growing Tensions
Amid volatile internal conflict and heightened tensions with the United States, Iran made an abrupt decision to close its airspace on Thursday.
Iran closed its airspace for nearly five hours overnight into Thursday, issuing a "NOTAM" — or "notice to all airmen" — that all flights were banned except ones to and from Tehran - and even those flights were limited to ones granted special permission.
It's a move that immediately impacted travel in the region as several major airlines were forced to either reroute, delay or outright cancel flights heading through Iranian airspace.
Major Airline Cancels Flights to United States
Air India was reportedly forced to cancel flights to both New York and Newark, NJ as a result of the airspace closure, according to a report from The New Indian Express.
“The flight from Delhi to Newark was just taxiing when news of the airspace closure came in. The flight was recalled immediately. The plane from Delhi to New York had not entered the airspace in the Gulf region and we recalled it before that, while the flight from Mumbai to New York was within Indian airspace only when we decided to bring it back," a source told the outlet.
Air India itself issued a statement amid the airspace closure.
"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," it said.
#TravelAdvisory
— Air India (@airindia) January 15, 2026
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…
The New Indian Express reported safety concerns arose after Iran closed its airspace. "They were already flying over Iran due to the Pakistan airspace closure, and now they will have to fly over Iraq. They will need additional fuel and so we decided to cancel their trip," another source told the outlet.
Air India seemingly confirmed this news in its statement saying, "Air India regrets the inconvenience caused to passengers due to this unforeseen disruption. Safety of our passengers and crew remain top priority."
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