DGCA advisory: Indian airlines told to avoid nine West Asia airspaces amid rising tensions

Amid escalating tensions in the West Asia, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued a major safety advisory asking airlines to avoid flying through nine high-risk airspaces in the region.

Airspaces to avoid
The advisory names the following countries: Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

The primary conflict zones highlighted include Iran, Israel, Lebanon and Iraq, while neighbouring Gulf countries have also been flagged due to spillover risks.

Conditional operations over select routes
Flights may still operate over Oman and Saudi Arabia, but only under strict conditions. Airlines have been directed to avoid flying below 32,000 feet (FL320) in these airspaces.

Safety-first approach
The DGCA has emphasised that operations in the region must involve robust contingency planning, with airlines required to factor in all possible risks. Carriers have also been asked to closely monitor Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs) issued by affected countries.

The advisory follows a sharp deterioration in the regional security situation, with several countries either restricting or shutting their airspace, prompting global aviation authorities to classify parts of the region as high-risk conflict zones.

Impact on travellers and airlines
The directive has led to flight cancellations, rerouting and longer travel durations, especially on routes between India and Europe, North America and the Middle East. Increased fuel consumption due to longer routes is also pushing up operational costs.

Major Indian carriers such as Air India and IndiGo have already been affected.

What passengers should expect

The DGCA reiterated that passenger and crew safety remains the top priority as the situation continues to evolve.