The aviation authority had briefly closed the country’s airspace as regional security risks escalated, after the defence ministry said it was responding to incoming aerial threats from Iran.

The suspension of air traffic was described by officials as a precautionary step amid rapidly evolving developments in the region. No timeline was provided for the duration of the closure, but operations were restored within hours once the situation stabilised.

Authorities did not disclose details on the scale or origin of the threats beyond confirming missile and drone activity, nor did they indicate any damage or casualties linked to the incident.

The General Civil Aviation Authority said the measures were implemented to ensure the safety of airspace users and aligned with standard protocols during security contingencies.

The reopening signals that risk levels were assessed to have subsided sufficiently for normal operations to resume.

The UAE is a major global aviation hub, and even brief airspace closures can affect regional and international flight schedules, though no specific disruptions were detailed in the official statements.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, where cross-border threats involving drones and missiles have increasingly prompted rapid defensive responses and precautionary restrictions on civilian infrastructure, including aviation corridors.

Officials have not issued further advisories following the resumption of air traffic.

The airline said the leadership change follows pressure stemming from widespread cancellations late last year that disrupted travel schedules and drew criticism from passengers and industry observers.

Bhatia said the scale of cancellations seen in December should not have occurred, according to remarks cited by the company.

IndiGo said Bhatia will manage the airline’s operations until a successor to Elbers is selected. The company did not immediately provide further details on the timeline for appointing a new chief executive.

Elbers, who previously served as head of Dutch carrier KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, had led IndiGo during a period marked by strong passenger demand but increasing operational and geopolitical challenges.

The airline has faced growing pressure this year as regional tensions and airspace restrictions affect flight planning and operational reliability.

Industry conditions have been further complicated by the broader crisis linked to Iran and restrictions on Pakistani airspace, developments that have forced airlines in the region to adjust routes and schedules.

IndiGo’s shares have also come under strain, declining about 13.5% so far this year, reflecting investor concerns about operational disruptions and wider uncertainty affecting the aviation sector.

The airline remains one of Asia’s fastest-growing carriers, operating an extensive domestic network and expanding international routes as demand for air travel in India continues to increase.

The airline said the decision followed a temporary clearance issued by the aviation regulator allowing restricted flight operations through designated routes.

“Following temporary authorization from the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority allowing limited operating corridors, Qatar Airways plans to operate select flights in the coming days to support passengers affected by the disruption,” the airline said in a statement posted on social media platform X late Tuesday.

The flights will depart from Hamad International Airport in Doha and include services to major international destinations such as London, New York and Madrid.

The limited schedule is intended to help clear passenger backlogs caused by recent airspace disruptions as regional security conditions deteriorate

.Air travel across parts of the Gulf has been affected by the intensifying conflict involving Iran and its adversaries, with several airlines adjusting routes or suspending flights due to security risks and airspace restrictions.

Qatar Airways said the select services were being scheduled to assist travelers impacted by the disruption while complying with the temporary operating corridors authorized by the civil aviation authority.

Omar Hosari, director of the Syrian Civil Aviation Authority, said the corridor will provide a designated flight path for aircraft arriving at and departing from Aleppo. The route is open to any airline provided it complies with internationally recognized aviation safety standards.Hosari said the corridor forms part of a broader effort by aviation authorities to gradually restore operations through Aleppo’s airport, which has faced intermittent disruptions in recent years.Route designed to stabilize air operationsHosari told Reuters that the newly activated route stretches westward from Aleppo toward the Mediterranean, offering aircraft a defined and secure passage for takeoff and landing procedures.He said the corridor was created to support the resumption of scheduled and charter flights while ensuring safe navigation for aircraft operating in the region’s increasingly congested airspace.Airlines that meet international operational and safety requirements will be permitted to use the route, according to the civil aviation authority. The corridor is intended to accommodate both Syrian carriers and foreign airlines seeking to operate flights to and from Aleppo.Authorities did not specify which international carriers may begin using the route or when additional flights might be scheduled.Gradual resumption of Aleppo air trafficThe reopening of the corridor coincides with a gradual revival of flight operations through Aleppo’s airport, one of Syria’s main aviation hubs. Officials say restoring reliable access routes is a prerequisite for broader resumption of air services.Hosari said the corridor is designed to facilitate stable air traffic management as operations increase at the airport. Aviation authorities have focused on establishing clear approach and departure paths to minimize operational risk.He emphasized that compliance with international aviation standards would be required for airlines seeking to utilize the corridor.Airspace management amid regional congestionRegional airspace has faced mounting pressure as airlines adjust routes due to geopolitical tensions and operational disruptions in parts of the Middle East. Aviation authorities in several countries have been modifying corridors and flight paths to maintain safety and operational continuity.Syrian officials said the Aleppo–Mediterranean corridor provides an additional option for aircraft navigating the region’s complex airspace environment while maintaining adherence to established safety protocols.Hosari said the corridor remains available to any airline capable of meeting the necessary operational standards, underscoring that the route was developed to support safe and orderly air traffic flows linked to Aleppo’s airport.Authorities did not disclose further technical details about the corridor’s altitude structure or operational parameters but confirmed that it is now active for aviation use.