Indian airlines to avoid ‘affected part of’ Iranian airspace

Directorate General of Civil Aviation decides to avoid affected part of Iranian airspace. DGCA’s decision comes amid rising tensions between US and Iran.

Amid rising geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran, India’s aviation regulator DGCA Saturday said Indian airlines have decided to avoid the “affected part of the Iranian airspace” and reroute their flight “suitably”.

On Friday, the American aviation regulator, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) prohibiting US-registered aircraft from operating “in the overwater area of the Tehran Flight Information Region until further notice, due to heightened military activities and increased political tensions”.

“All Indian operators in consultation with DGCA have decided to avoid the affected part of Iranian Airspace to ensure safe travel for the passengers. They will re-route flights suitably,” the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) tweeted on Saturday.

After the DGCA’s decision, Air India’s Chairman and Managing Director Ashwani Lohani said, “No substantial effect on Air India flights. Details being worked out for rerouting on incoming flights.”

As the majority of Pakistani airspace has remained closed for Indian airlines since the Balakot strike on February 26, the decision to avoid affected Iranian airspace on Saturday is going to further disturb the routes of their international flights towards middle-eastern and European countries, and the US.