Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport has issued an advisory to all travelers that there may be disruptions to flights heading west post military action taken by the United States and Israel against Iran. The Advisory asks passengers to verify flight status directly with their airlines before departing and rely only on official information sources for any updates.
Reason: The advisory comes as the events in the Middle East have dramatically escalated with airstrikes by the US and Israel on military sites in Iran’s capital, Tehran, further increasing tension within the region. As a result of the air strikes, a number of nations including Iran, Israel and Iraq have all shut down their airspace so commercial bicycles will not be able to take the normal routes previously utilized for international service to/from various destinations.
Airports throughout the world are also choosing to provide passengers with advisories while changing operating procedures due to the changing security environment.
In addition to the above-mentioned actions taken by IGI Airport, multiple Indian airlines have also issued advisories:
- IndiGo Airlines has issued an advisory indicating that it is important for travelers to stay abreast of developments and monitor all flights closely due to air space restrictions.
- Air India has also suspended/cancelled flights to/from the Middle East from multiple cities due to airspace restrictions.
- Travel to the Middle East is now disrupted and canceled due to airspace shutdowns and airlines’ disruptions of their routes.
DGCA Issues Broader Aviation Safety Advisory
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation of India (DGCA) has issued a broader safety advisory that highlights elevated safety and security threats for air operators flying to/from several Middle Eastern countries.
DGCA identified the airspace of 11 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and several others, as elevated risk zones for civil aviation activity. The DGCA is advising air operators to refrain from operating in these countries’ airspace until at least March 2, 2026, unless the situation changes.
The safety advisory expresses concern regarding the possibility of unintentional targeting of commercial jets and includes the risk of military missiles and other escalation of violence.
Passengers and Travel Plans
Passengers who are scheduled for westbound international flights, especially with connections to Europe, the Middle East, or points beyond, are being advised to:
- Verify their flight’s status with their airline before leaving home;
- Utilize the website or the call center of the airport or airline to obtain the most up-to-date status; and
- Be prepared for changes (i.e., delayed departure, cancellation of a flight, alternate routing).
Additional advisories similar to those issued by DGCA have also been issued by several airports in Mumbai (Bombay), Delhi, Ahmedabad, Mangaluru, Thiruvananthapuram, and many other cities throughout India. This is indicative of the widespread impacts the conflict is having on flight operations.
also read: Explosions heard in Dubai amidst ongoing tensions
Context: Regional Escalation and Civilian Precautions
As world aviation regulators and authorities monitor this status, many have produced advisories for their citizens to use caution, stay alert, & avoid traveling to or near any place where conflicts are occurring.
In addition to effecting people socially, the conflict has raised concerns economically as tensions are placing at risk the global supply chain and the cost of insurance for the movement of goods via sea; the economic consequences of the overall conflict are still evolving.
also read: Dubai International Airport damaged in overnight Iran attack
What should travelers do now?
- Check with the airline regarding the status of your flight before leaving home
- Regularly check airport web sites and/or contact the airline for real-time updates on your flights
- Expect your flight may be delayed, rerouted, or canceled depending on the progression of the overall situation
- Do not depend on non-official sources for information on the situation through social media.
