Indian airlines are actively looking at creating new technical stops in the Gulf region — either in the UAE or Saudi Arabia — for refuelling flights to Europe due to the emerging situation in the Israel-Iran conflict, industry sources told businessline.

Creation of these new technical stops has been necessitated by Iran’s closure of airspace in the wake of Israeli strikes. The latest development, coupled with the closure of Pakistan’s airspace, has complicated route planning for airlines.

“A technical stop in the Gulf region is one of the options under consideration,” the industry source said.

Air India already has two technical stops in Vienna and Copenhagen for its ultra-long-haul flights to the continental US and Canada.

As per another industry source: “A few flights can still fly directly to Europe from certain airports in western India. However, direct flights from North India will either need to refuel at domestic airports located in the western region or make technical stops in the Middle East.”

On Friday, Indian airlines had to divert or reroute several flights due to Iran airspace closure.

Air India said that the decision was taken as a precautionary measure to reroute or return flights that would have normally flown over Iranian airspace.

Affected flights include those on routes between India and North America, Europe, and the Middle East.

Some of the diverted flights will land in cities such as Vienna, Sharjah, Jeddah, and Frankfurt, while others are returning to their origin.

Air India stated that several diverted flights included AI130 (London Heathrow to Mumbai), which was rerouted to Vienna; AI102 (New York to Delhi), diverted to Sharjah; AI116 (New York to Mumbai), redirected to Jeddah; and AI2018 (London Heathrow to Delhi), which was diverted to Mumbai.

On the other hand, AI129: Mumbai to London Heathrow, returned to Mumbai; AI119: Mumbai to New York, returned to Mumbai; AI103: Delhi to Washington, returned to Delhi; and AI106: Newark to Delhi, returned to Delhi.

The airline said that it is providing accommodation for affected passengers and offering refunds or complimentary rescheduling options.

Besides, Air India said that alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations.

On its part, IndiGo said that Delhi–Istanbul and Mumbai–Istanbul flights are currently delayed and will be rerouted accordingly.

The situation remains uncertain, with Iraq closing its airspace amid the escalating tensions.

Published on June 13, 2025