United suspends Newark-Mumbai flight amid Iran-US tension

 The geo-political tension in the Middle East seems to be taking heavy toll on international flights to and from India.

In the wake of ongoing tensions between US and Iran, American carrier United Airlines has suspended its flight between New York/Newark and Mumbai from Friday evening.

"(The flight) UA48 (New York/Newark-Mumbai) has been cancelled," the airline said in a statement.

The airline said that it had conducted a thorough safety and security review of India service through Iranian airspace and decided to suspend the flight.

The tension between the US and Iran rose on Thursday after the latter shot down a US drone. 

An official United Airlines statement said that customers flying on-board UA9239 (Mumbai-New York/Newark) will be re-booked on alternative flights back to the US. 

Earlier, the American carrier had temporarily suspended its Delhi-Newark flight following Pakistani airspace closure after tension escalated with India.

The airspace closure, following an airstrike by Indian Air Force in Balakot last February, has affected most airlines from Europe and the US that operate flights to and from India.

India's state-run Air India has been losing close to Rs 6 crore a day due to longer flight hours. IANS