New Delhi (IANS): India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has directed airlines to avoid several West Asia airspaces due to the escalating US-Israel-Iran conflict. The regulator issued these safety mandates to ensure rigorous contingency planning amid rising regional risks.
Airspace Restrictions
The DGCA explicitly bars flight operations from entering the airspace of:
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Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the UAE.
While the regulator may permit flights over Oman and Saudi Arabia under specific conditions, it has ordered airlines to stay above FL320 (32,000 feet) in designated parts of those sectors.
Heightened Security Risks
The regulator cited recent military strikes by the United States and Israel against Iranian targets as the primary cause for the high-risk environment. It further warned that Iran’s retaliatory measures pose a serious threat to civil aviation safety.
To manage potential disruptions, the DGCA emphasized that carriers must:
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Conduct thorough safety risk assessments.
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Develop robust contingency plans for rerouting and diversions.
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Ensure flight crews receive real-time updates via NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen).
The advisory takes effect immediately and will remain in force until March 28, pending further review.
Weather Disruptions in India
Parallel to the geopolitical shifts, major carriers issued travel advisories on Thursday regarding domestic weather conditions:
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IndiGo warned that thundershowers might “slightly impact” departures and arrivals in Delhi and Bengaluru.
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Air India flagged persistent rain and gusty winds affecting the National Capital Region and parts of North India.
