Delays mount as Iranian airspace remains closed, DGCA orders enhanced checks on Air India’s Boeing 787 fleet
International flyers are facing mounting delays as a combination of airspace closures and mandatory safety inspections of Air India’s Boeing 787 Dreamliners continue to disrupt schedules. The situation has been triggered by the closure of Iranian and Jordanian airspaces and intensified after the recent Ahmedabad runway incident prompted India’s aviation regulator to mandate one-time safety checks on the Dreamliner fleet, reported timesofindia.indiatimes.com.
Air India has confirmed that its westbound flying times have increased by nearly an hour due to rerouting around Iran and Jordan. The airline also cited that enhanced turnaround time due to Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) inspections is compounding the issue. As a result, flights to destinations such as Paris and Sydney—primarily served by Dreamliners—have been cancelled or delayed.
By Sunday evening, inspections had been completed on 22 of Air India’s 33 Dreamliners. The airline stated, “These one-time safety checks are being carried out on the Boeing 787 fleet as they return to India, before being cleared for their next operations. Some of these checks could lead to longer turnaround times and delays.”
With Iranian airspace shut and Dreamliner checks underway, Air India and other carriers are struggling to maintain flight schedules, especially on Europe and Dubai routes.
But the delays aren’t limited to Air India alone. The ripple effects of closed airspace are hitting all Indian carriers, especially those operating between India and the Gulf. North India flights are bearing the brunt of the delays more than southern routes, according to airline sources.
One airline official explained, “We must board passengers on time so we don’t lose our departure slot at Dubai. But with the increased traffic and prioritization of Emirates as the home carrier, there’s often a long wait for take-off clearance. The heat on the tarmac only adds to passengers’ discomfort.”
Social media has been flooded with complaints from stranded and delayed passengers. In response, Dubai Airports issued an advisory, saying: “Some flights at Dubai International (DXB) and DWC are cancelled or delayed due to airspace closures over parts of the region. Please check with your airline for the latest updates.”
Meanwhile, SpiceJet reported experiencing “massive air traffic control congestion at Dubai,” while regional carriers like Air Arabia have also been affected.
As regional tensions persist and inspections continue, airlines warn travellers to expect further disruptions in the coming days.
