IndiGo Flight To Delhi Escapes Iran Shutdown Minutes Before Skies Closed

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.

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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.

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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:

1. Check Live Status: Use apps like Flightradar24 or your airline’s official portal before leaving for the airport.
2. Expect Longer Flights: Rerouting around Iran can add 60 to 120 minutes to your journey.
3. Verify Connection Times: If you have a short layover in Dubai, Doha, or Istanbul, your connection may be at risk due to arrival delays.