Two Air India flights coursed through Iranian-controlled airspace mere hours before Iran unleashed a significant aerial assault on Israel. Flight data from Flightradar24, a flight tracking website, revealed that Air India flights 116 and 131 flew routes over the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman on April 13 and 14, respectively, amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.
Iran’s military offensive, comprising around 300 drones and missiles, targeted Israel over the weekend, following heightened tensions since April 1. Despite this looming conflict, Air India’s Boeing 777-232 and Boeing 777ER accommodated approximately 280 and 330 passengers each during these flights.
Air India swiftly responded to concerns regarding passenger safety. A spokesperson emphasized the airline’s unwavering commitment to prioritizing passenger, crew, and aircraft safety. Denying any compromise on safety, the airline asserted that its flight operations are meticulously risk-assessed, irrespective of airspace considerations.
In defense of its actions, Air India clarified that it closely monitored the evolving situation in the Middle East, consulting various safety organizations and regulatory bodies. While Iranian airspace remained open to civilian air traffic without restrictions or NOTAM (notice to airmen), Air India adopted precautionary measures. Some west-bound flights were rerouted along safer corridors in consultation with other airlines and safety authorities.
Air India was not the sole carrier to traverse Iranian airspace during this period. Airlines like Malaysia Airlines, Emirates, and Qatar Airways also operated flights over Iran on April 13. However, in response to escalating tensions, several global airlines began rerouting or canceling flights from Saturday night through Monday.
Highlighting the gravity of flying over conflict zones, the aviation industry has witnessed tragic incidents of civilian aircraft downed in war zones. Recent examples include the Ukrainian Boeing 737-800 destroyed in Iran in January 2020, claiming 176 lives, and the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 shot down over eastern Ukraine in July 2014, resulting in 298 fatalities.
Despite aviation authorities designating altitudes of 35,000 feet as safe for flights over troubled regions, unforeseen circumstances such as turbulence or engine failure can necessitate lower altitudes. Such incidents underscore the paramount importance airlines place on passenger safety.
As global scrutiny intensifies, Air India’s decision to reroute select flights underscores the delicate balance between operational efficiency and passenger safety, especially in regions marked by geopolitical tensions.
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