DGCA asks airlines to avoid 9 airspaces, ensure robust contingency plans amid West Asia conflict

Mumbai: Amid the war involving the United States-Israel coalition and Iran, India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to avoid nine airspaces in the war-engulfed Middle East and Persian Gulf as a precautionary measure following latest safety-risk assessments.

This advisory follows a review of the Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB No: 2026-03) published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

“Recent military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against targets within Iranian territory have led to a high-risk environment for civil aviation. In response to these strikes Iran has announced retaliatory measures,” the DGCA has told all Indian air operators, stakeholders and flight operations departments.

The high risk zone encompasses all altitudes and flight levels in the Flight Information Regions (FIRs) of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Oman, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

However, Indian airlines can operate flights over Oman and Saudi Arabia airspaces subject to certain conditions, the note states.

The advisory issued on March 19 will remain valid until March 28, 2026, unless reviewed or superseded by further developments, the note states.

The DGCA asked operators are advised to provide their flight crew with information regarding latest Notice to Airmen (NOTAMs), airspace restrictions affecting flight that are already airborne.

The DGCA asked airlines not to operate below FL 320 or 32,000 feet within the airspace of Saudi Arabia and Oman located south of the segments defined by following compulsory reporting points.

The DGCA note made it clear that operations to airports in the affected region, where other international carriers are currently operating must involve robust contingency planning to cover all eventualities as part of safety risk assessment by the operators.

The DGCA asked airlines to ensure Extended Diversion Time Operations (EDTO) compliance, if applicable and availability of alternates for the selected routes.

The airline operators have been asked to closely monitor all updated Aeronautical Information Publications (AlPs) and NOTAMs issued by the affected countries and national authorities

Situation review:

Retaliatory Actions: Potential attacks against US. and Israeli assets in the region, affecting both Iranian airspace and neighbouring states.

Weapon Interceptions: Given the ongoing military intervention and Iranian strikes, there are additional high risks not only to the airspace of Iran but also to that of neighbouring States hosting US military bases or otherwise affected by the hostilities and associated military activities, including interceptions.

Weaponry Capabilities: The presence of all-altitude capable air-defense systems, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and military air assets.

Operational Errors: High probability of “spill-over" risks, including misidentification of civil aircraft, miscalculation, or failure of military interception procedures.