IndiGo Extends Central Asia Flight Cancellations Amidst Airspace Concerns

Indian low-cost carrier IndiGo has announced a further extension of flight cancellations to several key destinations in Central Asia and the Caucasus. Services to Tbilisi, Georgia; Almaty, Kazakhstan; Baku, Azerbaijan; and Tashkent, Uzbekistan will remain suspended until at least March 28, 2026. This decision continues a policy that previously saw flights canceled through February 28.

The airline, operated by InterGlobe Aviation Limited, cited ongoing developments in the region around Iran as the primary reason for the extended suspension. Like many international carriers, IndiGo is actively avoiding Iranian airspace due to heightened geopolitical tensions and safety advisories.

Airspace Avoidance and Operational Impact

The decision to bypass the Tehran Flight Information Region (OIIX) aligns with warnings from global aviation bodies. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has advised airlines to exercise extreme caution, citing the high risk of misidentification by air defense systems. This has prompted numerous airlines, including Air India, Lufthansa, and KLM, to reroute their long-haul flights.

While this measure prioritizes safety, it creates significant operational challenges. Rerouting flights results in:

• Longer Flight Times: Aircraft must fly alternative, often less direct, paths to their destinations.
• Increased Fuel Burn: Longer routes directly translate to higher fuel consumption and operational costs.
• Crew and Fleet Strain: Extended flight durations can impact crew scheduling and overall aircraft utilization, affecting network efficiency.

IndiGo's Strategic Position

As India's largest passenger airline, holding a domestic market share of 64.2% as of August 2025, IndiGo's network decisions have a wide impact. The airline operates over 2,700 daily flights with a modern fleet of more than 400 aircraft, primarily from the Airbus A320 family. These cancellations affect a key part of its expanding international network.

Passengers with existing bookings on the affected routes are advised to contact IndiGo for information regarding refunds or alternative travel options. The ongoing situation underscores the vulnerability of airline operations to regional instability, forcing carriers to constantly adapt their networks to ensure passenger and crew safety.

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