Multiple flights to Caucasus and Central Asia cancelled or diverted via Doha for refuelling; airline cites safety and “dynamic situation”
NEW DELHI: IndiGo has cancelled and altered several of its international flight paths serving the Caucasus and Central Asia, citing safety concerns due to rising tensions in and around Iran. The airline announced the “proactive changes” on Sunday, marking one of the first major operational disruptions by an Indian carrier in response to the latest regional instability.
Immediate Impact on Routes
The airline has cancelled its flights for January 25 from Delhi to Tbilisi, Georgia, and from Mumbai to Almaty, Kazakhstan, along with their return legs. For flights scheduled on January 26 to and from Tbilisi, Almaty, Baku (Azerbaijan), and Tashkent (Uzbekistan), the carrier warned of potential longer travel times. These services may now include a brief technical stop in Doha, Qatar, for refuelling, effectively avoiding Iranian airspace.
In a statement on X, IndiGo said, “We are making certain proactive changes to our flight schedules as part of our continued focus on safety.” The airline advised passengers to monitor their flight status regularly and use its website to explore alternative options if affected.
Geopolitical Backdrop
The flight adjustments come amid heightened military and political friction in the Persian Gulf region. Recent reports have highlighted internal unrest in Iran, stemming from protests over economic conditions. Simultaneously, international attention has been drawn to the area following remarks from former US President Donald Trump, who stated last week that the United States was closely watching Iran as a “massive fleet” of naval forces moved toward the Gulf.
While IndiGo’s advisory did not specify the exact nature of the threat, commercial airlines routinely reroute flights away from zones of potential conflict or heightened military activity to mitigate risks to civilian aircraft. The decision to refuel in Doha suggests a revised flight path that circumvents Iranian airspace, a measure previously taken by global carriers during periods of escalated tensions in the region.
Passenger Advisory
The airline has emphasized that further phased changes or cancellations are possible as it continues to assess the situation. Passengers booked on affected routes are eligible for a full refund or can reschedule their travel, as per standard policy for cancellations initiated by the airline.
Other international carriers operating between South Asia and Europe/Central Asia are likely reviewing their flight paths, though no major global airline had issued similar widespread advisories at the time of reporting.
