Mystery Flight Sparks Aviation Puzzle as Tracking Data Shows Jet Leaving Dubai for Tehran

Image generated with Ai

A puzzling aviation incident on Tuesday drew intense attention from flight trackers and aviation analysts after data appeared to show an Iranian passenger aircraft departing Dubai for Tehran despite a complete airspace closure over Iran.

According to flight tracking information published by monitoring platforms, a Mahan Air Airbus A340-300, registered EP-MJC, was detected departing Dubai International Airport (DXB) at approximately 13:15 UTC under flight number W560.

What immediately raised concerns among aviation observers was the listed destination: Tehran, even though the Tehran Flight Information Region (FIR) remains closed to civilian flights following ongoing regional military tensions involving Iran, the United States and Israel.

The apparent departure quickly triggered speculation across aviation monitoring communities and raised questions about whether a commercial aircraft had attempted to fly into restricted airspace.

Aircraft Had Been Grounded in Dubai

The aircraft involved had reportedly been grounded at Dubai International Airport since 28 February, shortly after Iranian authorities closed their airspace in response to escalating military developments in the region.

At that time, numerous aircraft belonging to Iranian airlines were stranded outside the country as international aviation authorities issued NOTAMs (Notices to Air Missions) warning carriers to avoid Iranian airspace.

The closure effectively halted commercial aviation operations to and from the country, leaving several aircraft temporarily parked at foreign airports while airlines waited for conditions to stabilise.

Because of this context, the appearance of a Mahan Air flight departing Dubai for Tehran attracted immediate attention.

Flight Path Did Not Match Tehran Route

Although initial tracking data listed Tehran as the destination, the aircraft’s observed trajectory did not match the expected flight path for a journey to Iran.

Instead of heading north-northwest toward Iranian airspace, telemetry data showed the aircraft climbing to approximately 33,000 feet before turning east.

The route closely resembled a common departure corridor used by flights travelling from the Gulf region toward Pakistan, particularly routes heading toward Lahore.

From there, the aircraft reportedly continued over the Gulf of Oman, maintaining a steady cruising altitude before its signal suddenly disappeared from several flight tracking platforms.

The unusual route pattern further deepened the mystery surrounding the flight.

The “Pakistan Corridor” Theory

One possible explanation suggested by aviation observers is that the aircraft may have been conducting a ferry flight rather than carrying passengers.

Ferry flights are typically used to reposition aircraft, often to maintenance facilities or safer locations during periods of geopolitical instability.

Although Iranian airspace is officially closed to civilian traffic, special exemptions can sometimes be granted for aircraft movements if military authorities provide specific clearance.

Under this scenario, the aircraft could have been heading toward Pakistani airspace in order to remain outside the restricted zone while waiting for the situation in Iran to stabilise.

Alternatively, the aircraft might have been planning to approach Iranian territory from a different direction at a later stage if diplomatic or military clearance became available.

However, there is currently no official confirmation that such permission was granted.

Electronic Interference May Explain the Incident

A second explanation gaining traction among aviation analysts involves electronic interference affecting navigation systems.

Since the escalation of tensions in the Gulf region, maritime and aviation operators have reported unusually high levels of GNSS interference, which disrupts satellite navigation signals used by aircraft and ships.

GNSS—Global Navigation Satellite Systems—include technologies such as GPS that allow aircraft to determine their precise location.

When these signals are disrupted or manipulated, aircraft may appear on tracking systems in locations where they are not actually present.

Two common forms of interference have been reported in the region:

Jamming, which blocks satellite signals and prevents receivers from determining their position.

Spoofing, which sends false signals that trick navigation systems into displaying incorrect coordinates.

Electronic warfare analysts have indicated that more than 1,100 vessels and numerous aircraft operating near the Gulf of Oman and the Strait of Hormuz have experienced unusual GPS behaviour since early March.

Possible GPS “Spoofing” Event

If spoofing occurred during the Mahan Air flight, the aircraft’s tracking data may have displayed a completely inaccurate route.

In such cases, aircraft might appear to be flying along a particular corridor or even heading toward a specific destination when in reality they are either stationary or following a different path entirely.

The disappearance of the aircraft’s signal over the Gulf of Oman could therefore indicate that the transponder signal entered an area of intense interference where tracking platforms could no longer determine its location.

Another possibility is that the aircraft remained on the ground in Dubai while its transponder signal was unintentionally manipulated by electronic interference.

Without confirmation from official aviation authorities, the exact sequence of events remains unclear.

Iranian Airspace Remains Closed

Meanwhile, Iran’s aviation authorities have maintained strict restrictions on airspace access.

The Iranian Civil Aviation Organization has extended the closure of the Tehran Flight Information Region until at least 7 March, citing security concerns linked to ongoing military developments.

Official NOTAM advisories warn that any unauthorised entry into Iranian airspace could be met with immediate military response.

These warnings have prompted airlines around the world to reroute flights across the Middle East, avoiding the region entirely.

Many long-haul flights connecting Europe and Asia are now taking longer alternative routes through Central Asia or the southern Arabian Peninsula to ensure passenger safety.

Aviation Industry Watches Closely

The mystery surrounding the apparent Dubai–Tehran flight highlights the growing complexity of operating aircraft in regions affected by geopolitical tensions.

Airlines, air traffic controllers and aviation regulators must constantly adapt to changing security conditions while maintaining safe navigation systems.

Electronic interference, military restrictions and shifting flight corridors can create unusual patterns on flight tracking systems that are difficult to interpret without official confirmation.

While aviation enthusiasts and analysts continue to examine the available data, authorities have yet to confirm whether the Mahan Air aircraft actually departed Dubai or whether the flight path displayed online was the result of navigation signal disruption.

Unanswered Questions

For now, the incident remains unresolved.

Did a Mahan Air aircraft truly depart Dubai bound for Tehran despite the airspace closure?
Was the flight actually heading toward Pakistan or another destination?
Or did electronic interference create a misleading trail on global flight tracking networks?

Until official statements clarify the situation, the mysterious appearance—and disappearance—of flight W560 will remain one of the most intriguing aviation puzzles of the current Middle East crisis.