Major Airlines Reroute Flights Amid Iran-Israel Crisis, Ticket Prices Set to Soar

Saturday, April 13, 2024

Flight durations between Europe, the UK, and other destinations are expected to extend by up to an hour, potentially leading to increased ticket prices. Major airlines such as Air India and Vistara, along with various international carriers, have begun to reroute flights to avoid Iranian airspace amid heightened concerns of potential hostilities between Iran and Israel, as suggested by US President Joe Biden.

Air India, which operates flights between Delhi and Tel Aviv four times weekly, is maintaining vigilant oversight of the situation. The airline had previously paused this route following the attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, resuming it on March 3. For example, Air India’s flight 161, departing from Delhi early Saturday morning, avoided Iranian airspace by opting for an alternative path to London, utilizing a northern trajectory over Russia—a route still accessible due to Air India’s ongoing use of Russian airspace.

An Air India spokesperson emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, stating that their aircraft will follow alternative routes that prioritize passenger and crew safety. Lufthansa’s recent flight to Mumbai also avoided the usual route through Iran, opting instead for a path via Greece, the Mediterranean Sea, Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf, and the Arabian Sea.

A spokesperson for Vistara noted that the airline is adapting its routes in response to the regional tensions, using contingency pathways to maintain flight operations and minimize delays. This adjustment may lead to longer flight times and possible delays. Vistara continues to operate routes between Delhi, Mumbai, and several European cities including London, Frankfurt, and Paris.

The ongoing geopolitical unrest has expanded the no-fly zones, with airlines avoiding airspace over conflict-affected regions like Afghanistan, Russia, and Ukraine. This has significant implications for flight times; for instance, Air India’s flights from Delhi to New York, which pass over Russia, are quicker compared to United Airlines’ routes, which avoid Russia and are consequently longer.

Additionally, some US airlines have postponed the introduction of new routes to India and suspended some existing ones due to these airspace restrictions. The evolving situation continues to affect aviation route planning and operational strategies.

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