IndiGo Flight Returns to Delhi After Airspace Complications
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Manchester returned to Delhi after being airborne for nearly eight hours due to airspace complications in Eritrea. The flight, operating under flight number 6E 033, took off from Delhi at 12:30 a.m. and landed back in Delhi at 2:30 p.m., resulting in a total journey time of 14 hours.
The flight was forced to turn back after confusion at air traffic control in Eritrea regarding a permit filed by IndiGo. The airline stated, “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.”
IndiGo’s London-Mumbai flight was also diverted to Cairo for similar reasons, reflecting the broader impact of airspace restrictions in the region. The aircraft used for the Delhi-Manchester flight was a Boeing 787-9 leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.
These complications arose as IndiGo partially resumed flights to Europe after more than a week of grounding due to airspace restrictions following airstrikes between the U.S.-Israel and Iran. The airline had faced approval issues from Eritrean authorities after a risk assessment was conducted.
IndiGo has expressed its commitment to resolving these issues, stating, “We are working with the relevant authorities to explore the possibilities of resuming the journey.” As of now, details remain unconfirmed regarding the next steps for the affected flights.
Travelers and industry observers are closely monitoring the situation, especially with a scheduled departure for the diverted flight on March 10. The ongoing airspace complications continue to pose challenges for airlines operating in and out of the region.
