IndiGo halts Central Asia flights as detours strain range of Airbus A320neo
January 26, 2026
India’s largest airline, IndiGo, has temporarily suspended flights to four Central Asian and Caucasus destinations. The suspensions come as the airline avoids Iranian airspace, which makes it impossible to operate the flights with the usual aircraft.
The airline has cancelled flights to Tbilisi, Almaty, Tashkent and Baku on January 26, 27 and 28, citing safety considerations linked to the evolving situation in and around Iran.
In a statement issued on Sunday, IndiGo said it was “remaining vigilant to developments in the region around Iran” and was “proactively reviewing flight operations, with safety being our highest priority”.
Travel Advisory
— IndiGo (@IndiGo6E) January 25, 2026
We remain vigilant to developments in the region around Iran and are proactively reviewing flight operations, with safety being our highest priority.
In view of the prevailing situation and after careful assessment, IndiGo flights scheduled to operate on 26, 27…
Iranian airspace avoidance forces IndiGo flight cancellations
According to airline officials, the affected routes normally transit Iranian airspace, which offers the most direct routing from India to parts of Central Asia and the Caucasus.
With that airspace now being avoided, alternative routings significantly increase flight distance and fuel burn.
IndiGo operates these services primarily with Airbus A320neo aircraft. While efficient on medium-haul sectors, the type does not have sufficient range and fuel reserves to operate the longer detours required without payload or operational penalties.
As a result, the airline opted to cancel services rather than attempt complex re-routing.
Flights between Delhi and Tbilisi, and between Mumbai and Almaty, were among those cancelled on Sunday, the airline confirmed.
Iran-US tensions disrupt international aviation routes
The decision comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and the United States, raising concerns within the aviation industry about the safety and predictability of airspace in the region.
While no specific threat to civil aviation has been publicly identified, airlines globally have become increasingly cautious about overflying conflict-prone areas.
Iranian airspace is a critical transit corridor linking South Asia with Europe, Central Asia and parts of Russia. Any disruption there tends to have an outsized impact on flight planning, particularly for narrowbody aircraft operating near the limits of their range.
IndiGo’s Central Asia flights hit by airspace disruption
The suspended destinations form part of IndiGo’s relatively recent push into Central Asia and the Caucasus, markets that have seen rising demand from Indian leisure and business travellers.
IndiGo began services to Tashkent, Almaty and Tbilisi in 2023. Responding to strong passenger demand, the airline announced a significant capacity expansion in mid-2024, doubling frequencies from Delhi to Almaty and Tbilisi from August 16, and increasing services to Tashkent from August 17.
Under that plan, IndiGo was operating daily flights to all three cities, up from the earlier schedule of four weekly flights to Tashkent and three weekly services to Almaty and Tbilisi.
The airline also commenced additional routes in 2025, including services from Mumbai to Almaty from July 1, and flights to Tashkent and Tbilisi in early August.
Tbilisi, Almaty and Tashkent among routes suspended by IndiGo
The suspension temporarily cuts off access to destinations that had quickly gained popularity with Indian travellers.
Tashkent has emerged as a cultural and historical draw, while Almaty attracts visitors with its mountain setting, nearby ski resorts such as Shymbulak, and its role as a regional economic hub.
Tbilisi, meanwhile, has become a favoured short-haul European getaway, known for its historic old town, sulphur baths, Narikala Fortress and growing reputation as a creative and business centre.
Passenger options and refunds for cancelled IndiGo flights
IndiGo has advised affected passengers to check their flight status on its website and has offered customers the option to rebook on alternate flights or claim a full refund.
“Customers may conveniently visit our website to explore alternate flight options or claim a full refund,” the airline said, adding that it appreciated passengers’ patience and understanding as it took “measured decisions in the interest of safe and seamless travel”.
At present, flights to the four destinations are expected to remain suspended until January 28, with operations subject to review depending on how the regional situation evolves.
Featured image: IndiGo
