India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has instructed airline companies to steer clear of various airspaces in West Asia due to the ongoing US-Israel-Iran conflict. The DGCA’s directive aims to ensure contingency planning as part of safety risk assessments. Airlines are advised 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 under specific conditions, as outlined in the DGCA notification. The recent military actions by the United States and Israel in Iran have heightened the risk environment for civil aviation. Iran’s retaliatory measures have further exacerbated the threat, posing serious risks to flight operations.
The aviation regulator has stressed the importance of conducting thorough safety risk assessments and establishing robust contingency plans to manage potential disruptions, including rerouting and diversions. The advisory is effective immediately and will be in place until March 28, unless reviewed earlier based on evolving developments. Carriers are directed to avoid operating within the affected airspaces at all flight levels and altitudes.
Airlines are required to ensure that flight crew members are kept updated with the latest NOTAMs (Notice to Airmen), which offer real-time information on airspace restrictions and operational conditions. Operations to airports in the region where international carriers continue to operate must be supported by comprehensive contingency planning to address all possible scenarios.
