When it rains, it pours goes the adage. And it is pouring for Air India at the moment. After Air India had the horrible tragedy in Ahmedabad, the airline has seen more incidents today, though of a different nature.

Air India diverts or returns 16 flights mid-air due to Iran /  Israel standoff.

Due to the overnight action that Israel took against Iran, and the closure of the airspace, Air India took the call on returning or diverting at least 16 of their flights. These were all international flights, operating into or out of India. Here is the list.

• AI130 – London Heathrow – Mumbai, diverted to Vienna
• AI102 – New York – Delhi , diverted to Sharjah
• AI116 – New York – Mumbai, diverted to Jeddah
• AI2018 – London Heathrow – Delhi, diverted to Mumbai
• AI129 – Mumbai – London Heathrow, returned to Mumbai
• AI119 – Mumbai – New York, returned to Mumbai
• AI103 – Delhi – Washington, returned to Delhi
• AI106 – Newark – Delhi, diverted to Vienna
• AI188 – Vancouver – Delhi, diverted to Jeddah
• AI101 – Delhi – New York, diverting to Frankfurt
• AI126 – Chicago – Delhi, diverting to Jeddah
• AI132 – London Heathrow – Bengaluru, diverted to Sharjah
• AI2016 – London Heathrow – Delhi, diverted to Vienna
• AI104 – Washington-Delhi, diverted to Vienna
• AI190 – Toronto-Delhi, diverted to Frankfurt
• AI189 – Delhi-Toronto, returning to Delhi

Air India mentioned the following,

We regret the inconvenience caused to our passengers due to this unforeseen disruption and are making every effort to minimize it, including providing accommodation for passengers. Refunds on cancellation or complimentary rescheduling is also being offered to guests who opt for it. Alternative arrangements are being made to fly passengers to their destinations.

Again, this is not a situation where the airline had a choice. The aviation industry is built on safety, and coming off a day like yesterday, the airline took maximum precaution as it should have.

Bottomline

Air India had to return to base, or divert 16 international flights of theirs, arriving into India or departing from India, on the back of the Israel / Iran standoff that took place early this morning. Most of these aircraft are now on the ground, but a few are still airborne. Eventually they will reach a diversion point, refuel and either continue their journey right away, or with a break.

What do you make of Air India’s handling of the situation?

(This is a developing story. Check back for updates)

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