An IndiGo Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner flight (6E33) en route from Delhi to Manchester executed a sudden mid-air U-turn near the Ethiopia border on March 9, 2026, safely returning to Indira Gandhi International Airport after cruising over the Arabian Sea.
War Disruptions Force Route Reversal
The long-haul service reversed course amid ongoing West Asia conflict closures, with Gulf airspace restrictions—triggered by US-Iran hostilities, Iranian strikes on Bahrain/UAE, and Hormuz tensions—forcing over 500 IndiGo cancellations since February 28. IndiGo operates limited flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Akrotiri, and Fujairah, rerouting via Cairo/Tbilisi where feasible.
Broader Airline Fallout from Iran Crisis
Waivers extend to March 31 for Middle East/Istanbul tickets booked pre-February 28, allowing fee-free changes/refunds as 112+ daily international services remain grounded. No technical issues confirmed; passengers safe, incident underscores aviation ripple effects from oil surges and regional instability.
