New Delhi: With war tensions rising in West Asia, India’s aviation regulator has directed Indian airlines to avoid flying through the airspace of 11 countries, citing heightened risks to civil aviation.
The advisory comes as the conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran—reported to have begun on February 28—has intensified. The report notes drone attacks linked to Iran in Gulf countries, including incidents near international airports in places such as Dubai and Oman, raising concerns over flight safety.
As a precaution, airlines have been asked not to use the airspace of Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait until March 28.
The regulator has also issued a specific operational caution for flights over Saudi Arabia and Oman, advising that aircraft should not operate below 32,000 feet above sea level while transiting those airspaces.
Airlines have been told to continuously monitor NOTAM updates for changing airspace restrictions. Flights operating in permitted areas have also been advised to use enhanced surveillance systems.
