New Delhi, March 9: An Indigo flight from Delhi to Manchester had to return to Delhi after approximately seven hours of flying due to sudden airspace restrictions imposed amid ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. The airline confirmed this on Monday.
According to an Indigo spokesperson, flight 6E 033, which had departed from Delhi, was forced to turn back due to last-minute airspace restrictions. The spokesperson noted that the situation in the Middle East and surrounding areas is constantly changing, which may require some flights to take longer routes or change their paths.
He explained that the current situation in West Asia necessitated the flight’s return to its original departure point, Delhi. The airline is working with relevant authorities to explore options for resuming travel for affected passengers.
Indigo emphasized that the safety and security of passengers, crew, and aircraft remain its top priority. The incident was first reported by the flight tracking platform FlightRadar24 on social media, which indicated that the aircraft made a U-turn en route back to India.
Additionally, the flight tracker noted changes in the operations of major UAE airlines and Qatar Airways by March 8. On Sunday, flight activities for Air Arabia, Emirates, and FlyDubai increased, while Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways operated fewer flights compared to the previous day.
Official information revealed that Indigo’s flight 6E 033, operated by Norse, made a U-turn near the border of Ethiopia and Eritrea before returning to Delhi. This was the first flight on the Delhi-Manchester route since February 26.
Meanwhile, on Monday, InterGlobe Aviation (Indigo) shares faced pressure, closing down nearly 4 percent at ₹4,236 on the BSE. During trading, shares dipped to a low of ₹4,035.65, marking an 8.37 percent decline from the previous week’s closing level.
Analysts suggest that rising crude oil prices, which have surged above $100 per barrel due to escalating conflicts in the Middle East, are a significant concern for investors. Reports indicate that crude oil prices have reached nearly $110 per barrel due to production cuts by major Middle Eastern oil producers and the effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
