IndiGo Manchester flight returns to Delhi due to airspace curbs

An IndiGo flight bound for Manchester was compelled to return to Delhi due to sudden airspace restrictions, highlighting the impact of the Middle East conflict on European flight routes and aviation safety.

IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: ANI Photo

Key Points

The flight was operated with a leased Boeing 787, and restrictions arose when entering Eritrean airspace.
EASA has barred certain aircraft from using Middle Eastern airspaces, impacting IndiGo's European flight routes.
IndiGo is now taking longer routes through Africa to reach Europe, avoiding restricted Middle Eastern airspace.
Flights to Athens are being operated with IndiGo's A321 XLR planes, while other European destinations use leased Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

A Manchester-bound IndiGo flight, operated with a leased Boeing 787 aircraft, returned to the national capital on Monday due to certain restrictions when the plane was to enter the Eritrea airspace, according to sources.

"Our flight 6E 033 operating from Delhi to Manchester had to return to its origin due to last-minute airspace restrictions, owing to the ongoing situation in West Asia. We are working with the relevant authorities to explore the possibilities of resuming the journey," IndiGo said in a statement.

The source said that there were some approval issues with Eritrean authorities, and after a risk assessment, it was decided that the flight will return to Delhi.

Eritrea is an African country.

The airline is operating its flights to European cities and London, except for Athens, with Boeing 787-9 planes leased from Norway's Norse Atlantic Airways.

In the wake of the Middle East conflict, regulator EASA (European Union Aviation Safety Agency) has barred aircraft, including those of Norse Atlantic, registered with it from using certain airspaces in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia.

As a result, IndiGo is now taking the longer flight route through Africa to enter Europe.

For the European flights, the airline flies over the Arabian Sea, Ethiopia, Eritrea, the Red Sea and Egypt before entering Europe.

Meanwhile, the flights to Athens are operated with IndiGo's A321 XLR planes.

Generally, Indian carriers use the airspaces in the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia, to operate flights to Europe.

IndiGo, in the statement, also said that due to the evolving situation in and around the Middle East, some of its flights may take longer routes or experience diversions.