India's DGCA has advised airlines to avoid the airspace of 11 Middle Eastern countries due to heightened military tensions following attacks on Iran, resulting in multiple flight cancellations including by Air India and Indigo.
The ongoing military tensions in the Middle East, exacerbated by recent attacks from the United States and Israel on Iran, have severely affected air travel in the region. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) of India issued a directive to Indian airlines on Saturday, cautioning them against flying in the airspace of 11 countries deemed dangerous due to the conflict. Airlines such as Air India, Indigo, and others have reported the cancellation or suspension of flights to the Middle East as a direct response to these safety concerns.
The sudden closure of airspace has led to significant disruptions, impacting hundreds of flights. Tracking websites indicated that many aircraft were seen circling in various airspacess and several flights had to be diverted. Specifically, a flight from Air India en route to Tel Aviv had to turn back to Mumbai mid-journey, highlighting the immediate repercussions on travel plans and the operational challenges faced by airlines in the region. By Saturday evening, a total of 57 domestic and international flights were reported to have been cancelled at Mumbai International Airport, with advisories being issued for passengers at Amritsar International Airport as well.
The 11 countries targeted by the DGCA include Iran, Israel, Lebanon, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, and Qatar. This situation emphasizes the precarious nature of air travel in conflict zones, and the importance of regulatory bodies like the DGCA in ensuring the safety of passengers. As political and military developments unfold, the implications for air travel in the region could remain significant, necessitating ongoing monitoring and potential further restrictions as the situation evolves.
