Air India’s Mumbai–London Flight Turns Back as Middle‑East Tensions Flare

Key Takeaways:

♦ Safety First: Air India initiated the U‑turn proactively; no emergency on board.

♦ Geopolitical Shockwave: Israeli strikes on Iran triggered a regional airspace shutdown.

♦ Operational Domino Effect: Multiple airlines are rerouting or cancelling West‑Asia flights until tensions ease.

What Happened

Flight AI 129, a Boeing 787‑8 scheduled from Mumbai (BOM) to London Heathrow (LHR), performed a mid‑air U‑turn in the early hours of Friday and is now headed back to Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Real‑time tracking data from Flightradar24 first flagged the change of course around 05:40 IST.

Reason for the Precaution

Aviation officials say the decision came minutes after Israel confirmed overnight strikes on strategic sites inside Iran. The operation prompted Iran, Iraq, and several neighbouring states to shut their airspace until further notice, creating a sudden no‑fly zone along one of the busiest trans‑continental corridors.

Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv was also closed, while Israel’s flag carrier El Al temporarily suspended all services in and out of the country. Air‑defence systems across the region remain on high alert amid fears of retaliation.

Impact on Passengers

Air India said the cockpit crew elected to return “in the interest of absolute safety.” Passengers will be re‑accommodated on the next available service once a secure flight path is confirmed. No injuries or technical issues have been reported on board. Industry insiders note that diversions of this kind, though disruptive, are standard practice when airspace security deteriorates suddenly.

Wider Aviation Ripple

The rerouting of AI 129 is part of a broader wave of diversions affecting at least 16 international flights on Friday, all avoiding Iranian or Iraqi skies. Global carriers are monitoring the situation hour‑by‑hour and updating flight plans to skirt conflict zones—a logistical headache likely to cascade into delays and higher operating costs over the weekend.

Editor’s note: Social‑media posts earlier today falsely claimed an Air India aircraft “crashed” with mass casualties. These reports have been debunked by airline officials; AI 129 is returning safely and all passengers are expected to disembark in Mumbai. Always verify breaking news with credible sources before sharing.