Amidst mounting tensions between US and Iran, India’s aviation regulatory body, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked Indian carriers to avoid certain parts of Iranian airspace and instead re-route flights.
DGCA tweeted, “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.”
DGCA’s decision came immediately after Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a notice to airmen (NOTAM), banning all US airlines from operating flights in the overwater area of the Tehran Flight Information Region above the Persian Gulf and Gulf of Oman.
FAA tweeted:
As a result, United Airlines suspended its flights between Newark and Mumbai. The American airline stated that the decision was taken following a thorough safety and security review of their India service through Iranian airspace. Other international airlines who avoided the Iranian airspace include British Airways, Lufthansa, Qantas and Singapore Airlines.
Among Indian airlines, Air India’s Jeddah-Mumbai service is said to be the only flight (by the national carrier) that is affected by the diversion. Ashwani Lohani, chairman and managing director of Air India announced that no other flight from Mumbai will be affected.
