An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Manchester was forced to turn back mid-air after flying for about seven hours due to last-minute airspace restrictions linked to rising tensions in the Middle East.
IndiGo flight 6E33, operated by Norse, made a U-turn near the border between Ethiopia and Eritrea. The flight is now returning to Delhi, according to flight tracking service Flightradar24.
This flight had departed early Monday morning from Delhi, marking IndiGo’s first Delhi-Manchester flight since February 26. The route had resumed after a gap, with normal flight time expected to be around 11 hours.
Flight Route and Diversion
Flight 6E33 followed a southern route via the Gulf of Aden and parts of Africa, avoiding most of the Middle Eastern airspace amid Iran-Israel tensions. Despite carefully avoiding active conflict zones, the aircraft had to turn back due to sudden airspace restrictions.
As a result, passengers faced delays even after seven hours of flying. Flight tracking data highlights how rapidly changing airspace restrictions can impact international routes.
IndiGo Statement
An IndiGo spokesperson said:
“Due to the evolving situation in and around the Middle East, some flights may take longer routes or face diversions. Our flight 6E33 from Delhi to Manchester had to return to its origin due to last-minute airspace restrictions. Safety and security of our customers, crew, and aircraft remain our top priority.”
The airline added that it is working with authorities to explore options for resuming the journey.
About the Route
The Delhi-Manchester route covers a great-circle distance of about 6,829 kilometres. Normally, the flight takes roughly 11 hours, depending on routing and weather conditions.
IndiGo had resumed this long-haul flight after a break of several weeks, making it an important route for passengers traveling between India and the UK.
Middle East Context
The ongoing Middle East conflict began after US and Israel joint strikes on Iran on February 28, which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Since then, Iran has retaliated by targeting US and Israeli military bases in Gulf countries. The conflict has also affected other international flight routes due to rapidly changing airspace restrictions.
Passenger Safety and Airline Measures
IndiGo emphasized that passenger safety is the top priority. The airline continues to monitor airspace developments closely. Additionally, they are coordinating with aviation authorities to ensure safe and efficient operations for future flights on the Delhi-Manchester route.