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.
Reason for Return
The flight was forced to turn back after confusion at air traffic control in Eritrea over a permit filed by IndiGo. The aircraft, a Boeing 787-9 leased from Norse Atlantic Airways, was met with approval issues by Eritrean authorities following a risk assessment.
Context of the Situation
This incident comes as IndiGo had partially resumed flights to Europe after more than a week of grounding due to airspace restrictions related to ongoing tensions in West Asia, particularly following airstrikes between U.S.-Israel and Iran. Additionally, IndiGo’s London-Mumbai flight was also diverted to Cairo for similar reasons.
IndiGo’s Response
In response to the disruption, an IndiGo spokesperson stated, “We are working with the relevant authorities to explore the possibilities of resuming the journey.” They acknowledged the challenges posed by last-minute airspace restrictions.
Looking Ahead
As of March 10, 2026, IndiGo has scheduled a departure for the diverted flight, indicating a potential return to normal operations. However, details remain unconfirmed regarding the resolution of the airspace issues that led to this disruption.
