Air India Flight AIC129 Returns to Mumbai Amid Iran Airspace Closure Following Israeli Strikes
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Sixteen international Air India flights diverted or returned; full refunds and free rescheduling offered to passengers
Air India flight AIC129, which departed from Mumbai for London early Friday morning, is returning to its origin due to regional geopolitical tensions. According to live data from flight tracking service Flightradar24, the flight turned back mid-route after takeoff.
The development comes as Iran shut its airspace following reported Israeli strikes on Tehran, which targeted nuclear sites, missile facilities, and high-ranking military officials. The escalation has led to immediate airspace closures by Iran, impacting multiple international routes.
In a statement released Friday, Air India confirmed the diversion and return of 16 long- and ultra-long haul international flights due to the “emerging situation in Iran” and reiterated that passenger safety remains the airline’s top priority.
Affected Air India Flights:
- AI129 – Mumbai–London Heathrow – Returning to Mumbai
- AI119 – Mumbai–New York – Returning to Mumbai
- AI103 – Delhi–Washington – Returning to Delhi
- AI189 – Delhi–Toronto – Returning to Delhi
- 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
- AI106 – Newark–Delhi – Diverted to Vienna
- AI188 – Vancouver–Delhi – Diverted to Jeddah
- AI101 – Delhi–New York – Diverted to Frankfurt/Milan
- AI126 – Chicago–Delhi – Diverted 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
Air India has announced that affected passengers will receive full refunds or the option for free rescheduling.
This move comes amid heightened global aviation alerts and reinforces the cascading impact of geopolitical tensions on commercial aviation. Authorities and air traffic controllers are monitoring the situation closely for further developments.
