Middle East Crisis: DGCA Bans Flights Over 11 Nations Till March 2

DGCA Warns Airlines: No Flights Over 11 Countries

Aviation watchdog DGCA on Saturday cautioned airlines against flying over the airspaces of 11 countries including Iran, Saudi Arabia and the UAE till March 2 as a result of rapidly escalating tensions in the Middle East.
The advisory will be followed on safety grounds internationally and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency's Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB) has also been taken into consideration, said the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).

Air India Suspends All Regional Flights

Air India has stopped all flights to destinations in the Middle East region with immediate effect. In a travel advisory, the airline confirmed the temporary suspension of its services and said that further actions will depend on the results of safety assessments.
The airline said that it is committed to maintaining the highest safety standards for the passengers and crew members. Flights will restart only after a thorough assessment of the security situation has been conducted. It emphasized that the suspension of services is a safety measure taken as a precaution to secure operations in the context of the changing situation in the region.

IndiGo Pauses Services Till March 1

IndiGo released a statement saying that it is closely following the issues concerning Iran and the neighboring airspace and is requesting passengers to verify the status of their flights before coming to the airport.
“In view of the evolving situation around Iran and the Middle East, our flight operations to and from the Middle East and other select international sectors have been suspended until 1st March 2026, 1800 hrs IST,” the airline said.
It added, “We understand the impact this may have on your travel plans and sincerely regret the inconvenience. We hope you understand that this decision has been taken as a proactive safety measure.”

EASA Warns: Avoid Middle East Airspace

Safety regulatory authorities of the aviation sector, including Europe's EASA, have issued warnings to airlines not to fly over the Middle East at any altitude. Numerous air carriers have informed about longer flying times as aircraft are detoured to avoid the conflict areas.
Since no one can say when the tensions will be eased, airlines indicate that they might have to cancel the flights even more. Travelers should keep an eye on the airline's notifications, check their flight status before starting their journey, and consider refund or rescheduling options.