British Airways flight returns to Chennai, flies again after Middle East airspace opens

CHENNAI: As tensions amplify in the Middle East with the entry of the US, the status of the region's airspace fluctuates, sending airlines into a spiral.

A British Airways passenger flight bound for London from Chennai was forced to return mid-journey today due to a sudden airspace closure, before successfully departing again hours later.

Initially scheduled to depart from the city airport at 5.35 am, the London-bound flight had a delayed take-off at 6.24 am, carrying 247 passengers and 15 crew members. While just passing Bengaluru to enter over the sea, the British Airways plane received an emergency notification, alerting to the closure of the airspace of the Middle East countries as the US defence forces commenced their onslaught on Iran.

Prioritising passenger safety, the air traffic control instructed the pilots to return to Chennai. It made an emergency landing at the Chennai International Airport at 10 am.

Flyers were safely disembarked and accommodated at the airport lounge. Later, arrangements were made for the stranded travellers to stay at city hotels, causing significant disruption at the airport.

As the situation temporarily improved and the airspace was reopened, the flight departed again with the original number of passengers and crew members at 11.50 am and resumed its journey to Heathrow Airport in London.

Despite the delay, the resumption of the journey brought relief amid the tense situation at the city airport on Sunday morning.

Box :

Delayed before tension: Initially slated for departure at 5.25 am, the flight took off at 6.25 am

Mid-flight disturbance: Diversion alarm raised as the Middle East region's airspace shut down due to the US-Iran conflict development

Emergency landing: The ATC ordered the return to Chennai to prioritise flyers' safety and the flight returned at 10 am

Chaos after: Passengers alighted from the flight and allotted lounges and hotel stay until the situation turned normal creating chaos at the facility

Re-departure within hours: After the reopening of airspace in the conflict zone, all 262 members depart again for London at 11.50 am