India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a crucial advisory asking airlines to avoid several West Asian airspaces amid escalating tensions following the US-Israel military strikes in Iran. The move is aimed at safeguarding flight operations and ensuring robust contingency planning amid heightened regional risks.
According to the DGCA notification, airlines are instructed to avoid operating in the airspace of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Flights over Oman and Saudi Arabia may be allowed, but only under specific operational conditions.
The advisory comes after a series of military strikes by the United States and Israel on Iranian targets, which the DGCA described as creating a high-risk environment for civil aviation. Retaliatory actions by Iran have further intensified concerns, prompting the regulator to enforce strict safety measures for Indian carriers.
Airlines have been specifically advised to avoid flying below FL320 (32,000 feet) in designated parts of Saudi Arabia and Oman airspace. Operators must conduct thorough safety risk assessments and maintain comprehensive contingency plans, including rerouting and diversion strategies, to manage any potential disruptions.
“Operations to airports in the region, where international carriers continue to fly, must be backed by comprehensive contingency planning to address all possible scenarios,” the DGCA statement said. Carriers have also been instructed to ensure that flight crews are regularly updated with NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen), providing real-time information on airspace restrictions and operational conditions.
The advisory is effective immediately and will remain in force until March 28, unless updated earlier based on the evolving situation in West Asia. Airlines are required to avoid operating within the affected airspaces at all flight levels and altitudes to mitigate risks posed by ongoing hostilities.
Meanwhile, domestic airlines have warned passengers of potential weather-related disruptions in India. IndiGo said that departures and arrivals in Delhi and Bengaluru could be “slightly impacted” by expected thundershowers, while Air India flagged persistent rain and gusty winds in the national capital and parts of North India.
