On June 7th, an Air India flight from Delhi to San Francisco was diverted to the Russian airport of Magadan due to a technical issue with one of its engines. The flight AI173, carrying 216 passengers and 16 crew members, was en route to the United States.

This incident occurred while United Airlines was being questioned about the use of Russian airspace by certain Western carriers since its closure to foreign airlines in February earlier this year.

A flight bound for the United States was urgently diverted to Russia

The closure of Russian airspace poses a significant challenge for Western carriers but also presents an opportunity for their competitors, particularly airlines from non-aligned countries with sanctions against Moscow, such as Air India.

Access to Russian routes becomes an enticing privilege in the face of the logistical puzzle posed by this vast geographical area spanning eleven time zones.

A flight bound for the United States was urgently diverted to Russia

Although the situation was resolved smoothly thanks to Air India’s prompt intervention, which planned to deploy an additional aircraft on Wednesday morning to accommodate the remaining passengers, subject to necessary approvals, this incident highlights the risks associated with any diplomatic crisis between Washington and Moscow in this sensitive context, where every event can potentially escalate into an international political conflict quickly.