In a sudden turn of events, a British Airways flight headed to London had to make an unexpected U-turn back to Chennai on Sunday morning. The reason? A closure of Middle Eastern airspace triggered by rising military tensions between the US and Iran.
Flight BA276, carrying 247 passengers and 15 crew members, took off from Chennai International Airport at 6.24 a.m., nearly an hour behind schedule. The Boeing 777 was cruising smoothly over the Arabian Sea when the pilot received alarming news—critical sections of the Middle Eastern airspace were shut down, blocking the planned route to London.
The sudden closure came after the US military launched strikes on Iranian targets, prompting regional authorities to suspend civilian flights as a precaution. Faced with no safe passage, the crew quickly coordinated with air traffic control in Chennai and London. The decision was clear: return to Chennai immediately.
By 10.00 a.m., the plane touched down safely back at the airport. Passengers were directed to a remote bay for disembarkation, and thankfully, no injuries or emergencies were reported. Temporary arrangements were made to accommodate travelers in lounges and nearby hotels while British Airways worked on figuring out the next steps.
“Passenger safety remains our top priority,” the airline stated, reassuring travelers that updates would follow once alternative routes were confirmed or the airspace reopened. Meanwhile, frustration and confusion brewed among passengers who were suddenly stranded in Chennai.
The ripple effects of the airspace closure extended beyond just this one flight. Several other Chennai-bound flights to Gulf destinations—including Kuwait, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi—faced significant delays. A Kuwait Airways flight, initially set to depart at 3.30 a.m., finally took off two hours later. Similarly, Qatar Airways and Emirates flights were delayed by nearly an hour each.
This incident highlights the fragile nature of international air travel when geopolitical tensions flare up. With the Middle East remaining volatile, airlines and passengers may need to brace for more disruptions in the coming days. Reroutes, delays, and last-minute changes could become more frequent if the situation escalates further.