Major Indian carriers including Air India, IndiGo, and SpiceJet have rolled out travel advisories after Iran abruptly shut its airspace on January 14, 2026, amid escalating friction with the United States. The move has triggered flight cancellations, mid-air diversions, and widespread delays for routes to the US, Europe, and the Middle East, leaving thousands of passengers in limbo.

Irans aviation authority halted commercial overflights for several hours, linking the decision to internal security threats and heated rhetoric from Washington. This came right after massive anti-government protests rocked the country, with reports of heavy casualties, and fresh warnings from President Donald Trump against Tehrans leadership. Fears of accidental shoot-downs, reminiscent of past regional incidents, prompted the airspace lockdown as US forces braced in nearby bases.

Air India canceled three key US-bound flights and warned of extended rerouting times, while IndiGos Delhi flight from Baku had to loop back after Tehran went dark. SpiceJet echoed the call for vigilance, advising checks on all Middle East paths. Carriers are now plotting detours over Central Asia or the Arabian Sea, which tack on fuel costs and hours—potentially jacking up ticket prices short-term.

Travelers report chaos at airports like Delhi and Mumbai, with connections to Dubai or London hit hardest. One flyer shared online how a family trip to Paris got pushed back 12 hours via extra stops in Jordan. To navigate this, scan airline apps hourly, grab travel insurance for flexibility, and watch official NOTAM updates—better safe than grounded as these US-Iran ripples linger.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.