Amid rising tensions in West Asia, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Thursday directed airlines to avoid the airspace of nine countries and prepare strong contingency plans as part of security risk assessment.
According to the DGCA advisory, airlines have been asked to refrain from operating flights at all altitudes and levels over the airspace of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar and UAE.
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Exemption given with some conditions in Oman and Saudi Arabia
The regulator clarified that any operations in these affected airspaces will be based on the airlines’ own security risk assessment. At the same time, Indian airlines have been allowed to operate flights in the airspace of Oman and Saudi Arabia with certain conditions.
DGCA has also directed that flight operations should not be conducted below 32,000 feet (FL 320) while flying in the airspace of Saudi Arabia and Oman, especially in areas south of the designated reporting points.
Advisory will remain in effect till March 28
The advisory states that airlines will have to prepare concrete contingency plans keeping in mind all possible situations while operating to airports in the affected area. Along with this, it has been made mandatory to inform the flight crew about the latest NOTAM (Notice to Air Mission) and airspace restrictions.
DGCA said the recent military strikes by the US and Israel inside Iran have created a high-risk environment for civil aviation. The situation has become more serious after Iran announced retaliatory measures in response to these attacks. This advisory has come into effect with immediate effect and will remain in effect till March 28, unless further modified or replaced.
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