The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) directed Indian airlines to avoid nine airspaces in West Asia and strengthen contingency plans due to escalating conflict in the region.
The DGCA asked airlines to refrain from flying over Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Airlines may operate flights over Oman and Saudi Arabia, but only above 32,000 feet and within defined reporting points.
The regulator emphasised that operations at airports in the affected region must involve robust contingency planning. Airlines must provide flight crews with updated Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) and information about restrictions. The advisory took immediate effect and will remain valid until March 28 unless further developments require changes.
Recent military strikes by the United States and Israel inside Iranian territory created a high-risk environment for civil aviation. Iran announced retaliatory measures, raising concerns about hazards to flight operations. The DGCA stressed that continued operations in restricted airspaces would depend on each airline’s safety risk assessment.
