India's Directorate-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent warning following an EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) alert that 11 West-Asian FIRs now pose a high risk for civil aviation. This led to the suspension of flights to major destinations such as Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, Muscat, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Tel Aviv by several Indian airlines, including Air India and IndiGo. These airlines rerouted flights over the Arabian Sea and the Mediterranean, resulting in longer travel times and increased fuel costs.
Travelers affected by these reroutes faced last-minute visa requirements and schedule disruptions. VisaHQ’s India portal offers emergency visa applications, real-time tracking, and guidance on entry regulations, helping both project teams and individuals remain compliant despite flight path changes.
Airlines introduced waiver schemes, including zero-fee date changes, full refunds for canceled sectors, and free rescheduling within a specified window. Although most global distribution systems (GDS) have processed these waivers, manual adjustments are still necessary for some tickets.
The DGCA alert remains in effect until 2 March, with potential extensions. Experts note this move reflects India’s proactive approach to aviation safety following criticisms of delayed reactions in previous crises. Companies operating in the region should update their duty-of-care protocols, including traveler tracking and war-risk insurance coverage. Passengers should prepare for longer flights, possible refueling stops, and ongoing schedule adjustments until regional tensions subside.
