IndiGo Flight Returns to Delhi
An IndiGo flight from Delhi to Manchester returned to Delhi after being airborne for nearly eight hours due to airspace complications in Eritrea. The flight, operating under flight number 6E 033, took off from Delhi at 12:30 a.m. and landed back in Delhi at 2:30 p.m., resulting in a total journey time of 14 hours.
The flight was forced to turn back after confusion at air traffic control in Eritrea regarding a permit filed by IndiGo. According to the airline, “Our flight 6E 033 operating from Delhi to Manchester had to return to its origin due to last-minute airspace restrictions, owing to the ongoing situation in West Asia.”
IndiGo’s London-Mumbai flight was also diverted to Cairo for similar reasons, reflecting the broader impact of airspace restrictions on travel routes. The aircraft used for the Delhi-Manchester flight was a Boeing 787-9 leased from Norse Atlantic Airways.
These disruptions come as IndiGo partially resumed flights to Europe after more than a week on March 8, 2026, following grounding due to airspace restrictions stemming from airstrikes between U.S.-Israel and Iran.
IndiGo has stated, “We are working with the relevant authorities to explore the possibilities of resuming the journey.” However, the approval issues encountered by Eritrean authorities after a risk assessment have raised concerns about future flights.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the timeline for resolving these airspace complications, and observers are closely monitoring the situation as it develops. The airline’s operations in the region may continue to face challenges as the geopolitical climate evolves.
