In a dramatic aviation update on Thursday, January 15, 2026, IndiGo flight 6E1808 from Tbilisi to Delhi reportedly became the last non-Iranian commercial aircraft to cross Iran’s skies before a sudden, near-total airspace shutdown.
The narrow escape occurred at approximately 2:35 AM IST, just minutes before Tehran issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) closing its flight information region (FIR) amid spiraling domestic unrest and fears of a U.S. military strike.
The Great Escape: IndiGo Flight 6E1808
While thousands of other flights across the globe were forced into immediate diversions, the IndiGo service managed to maintain its original flight path:
- Departure: Departed Tbilisi, Georgia, late on Wednesday night.
- The Crossing: Entered Iranian airspace and exited just as the shutdown was enforced.
- Arrival: Safely touched down at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport at 7:03 AM IST.
- The Aftermath: Following this flight, most commercial traffic cleared the region, leaving the skies over Iran and Iraq largely empty for several hours.
Chaos for Indian Carriers
The closure, which lasted nearly five hours before a partial reopening, has thrown international schedules into disarray. Indian airlines, which heavily rely on the Iran corridor for fuel-efficient routes to Europe and the U.S., have issued urgent advisories:
- Air India: Cancelled at least three ultra-long-haul flights to the U.S. (Delhi–New York, Delhi–Newark, and Mumbai–New York). The airline explained that rerouting via Iraq adds significant time and fuel requirements, making non-stop travel impossible for certain aircraft.
- IndiGo: Cancelled its Mumbai–Tbilisi and Tbilisi–Mumbai services for Friday, January 16. The airline is offering full refunds or rebooking options to affected passengers.
- SpiceJet: Issued a travel advisory warning of delays on its Middle East routes, as aircraft are now forced to fly south over Saudi Arabia or north through Central Asia.
Why the Skies Closed
The Iranian aviation authority cited no official reason, but the move coincided with a critical escalation in the country:
- Protest Crackdown: Over 3,400 deaths have been reported in the two weeks since unrest began on December 28, 2025.
- U.S. Threat: The closure followed reports of U.S. personnel withdrawing from bases in Qatar and Kuwait, sparking rumors of an “imminent” strike ordered by President Donald Trump.
- Safety First: Memories of the 2020 shootdown of Flight PS752 remain fresh; airlines are now hyper-cautious about operating in regions with heightened air defense activity.
Traveler Checklist
If you are flying to Europe, the Middle East, or North America this week:
- Check Live Status: Use apps like Flightradar24 or your airline’s official portal before leaving for the airport.
- Expect Longer Flights: Rerouting around Iran can add 60 to 120 minutes to your journey.
- Verify Connection Times: If you have a short layover in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul, your connection may be at risk due to arrival delays.