New Delhi: The Director General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to avoid at least 9 airspaces in the Middle East/West Asia, amidst the ongoing Israel-US versus Iran war. They have come up with a robust plan to ensure safety of passengers amidst the ongoing war in the Middle East.
Airspace to be avoided
The DGCA has asked airlines to avoid airspaces of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and United Arab Emirates (UAE), reported the Economic Times, quoting an advisory issued by the aviation body.
Apart from asking airlines to completely avoid these airspaces, the DGCA has set certain rules for flights flying over Oman and Saudi Arabia. The airlines flying over the airspaces of these 2 countries have been asked not to fly below FL 320 or 32,000 feet.
As regards the other 9 airspaces, the airlines have been asked to “refrain from operating within the affected airspace.. at all flight levels and altitudes.”
The DGCA said that any conditional operations in the affected areas, must involve robust planning by the carriers. They must assess the situation and risk factors involved, while operating flights. Airlines have also been asked to keep a contingency plan ready in case of any emergency situation.
The operators also must tell its crew in flight already airbound about the latest NOTAM and airspace closures in the region. NOTAM means, Notice to Airmen that provides real time updates regarding different airports and airspace closures.
The advisory will be in place till March 28,2026. It came into effect immediately after the DGCA issued the notice on the matter.
Israel-US vs Iran war
The DGCA acknowledged that the advisory to the airlines had been issued in view of the ongoing conflict in West Asia. They said that the recent strikes conducted by the US and Israel against Iran have “created a high risk environment” for civil aviation.
Iran has also vowed to retaliate and this, according to DGCA, creates severe hazards for civil flight operations in the region.