Amid the escalating conflict in West Asia, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked airlines to avoid 11 airspaces, citing risks within the Middle East and Persian Gulf regions.
The advisory, which remains valid until March 28, warns of multiple hazards, including potential attacks on US and Israeli assets affecting not only Iranian airspace but also neighbouring countries.
The high-risk zone covers all altitudes and flight levels within the following Flight Information Regions (FIRs): Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, UAE, Qatar, and Kuwait.
Operators have been instructed not to operate below FL320 within the airspace of Saudi Arabia and Oman, and must implement robust monitoring systems in cases where operations are undertaken in permitted areas.
The DGCA has also stressed on the need for comprehensive contingency planning for flights to airports in the affected region, especially where international carriers continue to operate.
