Kamal Ghorui
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued an advisory directing airlines to avoid nine airspaces in West Asia amid escalating situations, and strengthen contingency planning as part of enhanced safety risk assessments. The advisory, issued on March 19, is in line with the heightened geopolitical instability, involving the United States, Israel, and Israel. The DGCA noted that the evolving situation has created a “high-risk environment” for civil aviation, posing significant operational hazards.According to the directive, Indian airlines have been asked to avoid operating in the airspaces of:BahrainIranIraqIsraelJordanKuwaitLebanonQatarUnited Arab Emirates (UAE)The regulator has instructed airlines to refrain from operating within these affected airspaces at all flight levels and altitudes, which highlight the severity of the risk environment.
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Conditional operations over Saudi Arabia and Oman
While imposing strict avoidance measures across much of the conflict-affected zone, the DGCA has permitted limited operations over Saudi Arabia and Oman, which are subject to specific safety conditions.Further reports add that airlines have been directed not to operate below FL320 (32,000 feet) in designated segments of these airspaces, particularly those that have been identified through compulsory reporting points. These altitude restrictions are intended to reduce exposure to potential threats on the ground or from lower airspace activity.Read more: Which Indian states have Sanskrit as an official language
Mandatory contingency planning for airlines
In addition to airspace restrictions, the DGCA has emphasised the need for robust contingency planning, especially for flights operating to airports in the wider region where international carriers continue to maintain services. Airlines have been instructed to ensure that they are prepared for “all eventualities,” and that their operational decisions are backed by comprehensive safety risk assessments. This includes various aspects like route diversions, alternate airport planning, fuel management, etc., and real-time monitoring of geopolitical changes.
Advisory effective immediate
It has also been added by the DGCA that the advisory is effective immediately and shall remain so until the 28th of March. However, it may be revised once again due to changes in the situation.It has been directed to the operators to ensure that the flight crews are kept informed of the latest NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen) for real-time updates of the restrictions/hazards affecting flights already airborne.Read more: World Happiness Report 2026: Finland tops again, Israel in top 10; India ranks 116th
Heightened vigilance amid volatile situation
The advisory is in line with the global trend as various aviation regulators and airlines are reassessing flight routes in light of the geopolitical risks that are emerging in various air corridors. While the directive is aimed at airlines, its ripple effects are likely to be felt by travellers flying to or via the Middle East, such as:
Longer flight times likely
Since it has been recommended that these airspaces be avoided, a longer route will be taken, and this can increase your travel time by anything from 30 minutes to a few hours, depending on your destination and the constraints of the routes taken.
Possible delays and schedule changes
When these routes are changed, it is possible that your travel plans will be affected, and changes in schedules or delays can be felt. If your destination is in the UAE, Qatar, or Kuwait, you can expect changes in your schedules, especially if your destination is an international one.
Airfares could be affected
Since longer routes mean a longer fuel consumption, it is possible that your airfares will be affected in the near future.
