The first two commercial flights from Iran touched down at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport late on January 16, marking the resumption of air services after disruptions caused by escalating anti-government protests and a near-total internet blackout in the country. These were regular scheduled flights, not official evacuation operations, carrying Indian nationals including students, pilgrims, tourists, and businessmen who chose to return home early due to the volatile situation. The arrivals come as Iran’s airspace briefly reopened following temporary closures amid heightened tensions and security concerns.

The protests, which erupted in late December 2025 over economic hardships, soaring prices, and demands for regime change, have intensified dramatically since early January. Nationwide demonstrations have spread across all 31 provinces, with reports of violent crackdowns leading to hundreds—if not thousands—of deaths, according to international monitors and exiled media. Iranian authorities imposed a sweeping internet and telecommunications blackout starting January 8, severely limiting communication, information flow, and the ability of citizens to contact families or access news. This digital shutdown, one of the most comprehensive in recent years, has drawn global condemnation for potentially concealing the scale of repression and hindering peaceful protest organization.

Returning passengers described harrowing experiences on the ground. One individual, who had been in Iran for a month, recounted protesters blocking roads and causing disruptions, compounded by the complete lack of internet, making it impossible to update families back home. An MBBS student noted she personally witnessed no direct agitation but highlighted the pervasive communication blackout that heightened anxiety and isolation. Many expressed relief upon landing in Delhi and thanked the Indian government and embassy in Tehran for advisories, emergency helplines, and support during the crisis. The Ministry of External Affairs had earlier cautioned against non-essential travel and activated helplines for stranded citizens.

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The brief closure of Iranian airspace on January 15 disrupted several international routes, including those overflying the region from India to Europe and the US, forcing airlines like Air India and IndiGo to reroute or cancel flights. While airspace has since reopened for civilian traffic, many carriers remain cautious, and the situation in Iran continues to evolve with reports of ongoing clashes and arrests. India’s embassy has been in close contact with its nationals, preparing for potential larger-scale assistance if the unrest worsens.

This development underscores the broader impact of Iran’s internal crisis on regional aviation and diaspora communities. As protests persist under the cover of communications restrictions, the focus remains on ensuring the safety of foreign nationals while international observers call for restraint and access to information. The safe arrival of these flights offers a small measure of relief amid an otherwise turbulent scenario in the region

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