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Flight BA276's Unexpected Turnaround

Chennai: A British Airways flight heading to London was compelled to return to Chennai International Airport early Sunday morning due to the sudden closure of airspace over the Middle East amid rising military tensions between the United States and Iran.

Flight BA276, operated by a Boeing 777, took off from Chennai at 6:24 a.m., nearly an hour later than its scheduled departure of 5:35 a.m., carrying 247 passengers along with 15 crew members.

The aircraft had already crossed Bengaluru and was flying over the Arabian Sea when the pilot was alerted that significant sections of Middle Eastern airspace had been closed, making the intended route to London unviable.

This airspace closure was reportedly a response to US military actions targeting Iranian sites overnight, leading regional authorities to suspend civilian flights as a safety measure.

Upon receiving this critical information, the flight crew promptly reached out to air traffic control in both Chennai and London. Following urgent discussions and prioritizing the safety of passengers, officials directed the plane to return to Chennai.

The aircraft safely landed at Chennai International Airport around 10:00 a.m. and was guided to a remote area for passengers to disembark.

All 262 individuals on board, including passengers and crew, were confirmed to be safe.

Airport officials stated that temporary arrangements were made to assist passengers in lounges and nearby hotels throughout the city.

British Airways released a statement acknowledging the flight's return and mentioned they were evaluating options for further travel.

"The safety of our passengers is our highest priority," the airline emphasized, promising to provide updates as alternative routes are established or when the affected airspace reopens.

The unexpected return led to a surge of activity at the airport, with passengers voicing confusion and concern regarding the delay.

Additionally, several flights from Chennai to Gulf destinations experienced delays due to the regional airspace closure.

Flights to Kuwait, Doha, Dubai, Sharjah, and Abu Dhabi faced significant postponements.

A Kuwait Airways flight that was supposed to leave at 3:30 a.m. eventually departed at 5:40 a.m. Likewise, a Qatar Airways flight to Doha and an Emirates flight to Dubai were each delayed by nearly an hour.

This incident highlights the ongoing disruptions in international air travel stemming from escalating unrest in the Middle East, raising concerns about potential further delays and reroutings in the days ahead.