IndiGo Flights to Tbilisi and Baku Making Technical Stop at Doha Due to Iranian Airspace Closure

Officials announced that IndiGo flights to Tbilisi and Baku are now stopping in Doha for refuelling, while Air India is rerouting its European flights through Egypt due to the closure of Iranian airspace. This closure, prompted by tensions between Iran and Israel, has led to longer flight durations from India to Europe since Friday.

IndiGo's flights from Delhi and Mumbai to Tbilisi, Georgia, and Baku, Azerbaijan, are using narrow-body A321 aircraft. These planes require a technical stop in Doha for refuelling as they cannot cover the extended distance non-stop. Meanwhile, Air India is navigating through Egypt and Greece to reach European destinations without technical stops, but with increased flight times of up to 90 minutes.

Flight Adjustments Amid Airspace Restrictions

Air India employs wide-body Boeing 787s and Airbus 350s on its European routes. The airline has not commented on these changes. The ongoing airspace restrictions over Iran have caused congestion in flight routes to and from the Gulf region, potentially leading to delays in certain sectors.

IndiGo shared on X that extended travel times are expected as they continue operating via alternate paths. Similarly, Air India posted on X about the emerging situation in Iran and parts of the Middle East. The airline noted that some flights are taking alternative extended routes for passenger safety.

Operational Challenges and Costs

Air India's flights to North America are already taking longer routes due to Pakistan's airspace closure. Increased flying hours result in higher operational costs as more fuel is consumed. Airlines also face challenges with Flight Duty Time Limitation (FDTL) for their crew.

In April, IndiGo had temporarily cancelled flights to Almaty, Kazakhstan, and Tashkent, Uzbekistan. This was due to aircraft operational range constraints following the Pakistan airspace closure.

The adjustments made by IndiGo and Air India highlight the complexities airlines face amid geopolitical tensions. As airspace restrictions persist, airlines must adapt their operations, impacting travel times and costs.

With inputs from PTI