Anxiety mounts among Gulf Malayalees over travel ban on Gulf air routes

NEW DELHI: Crisis loomed for Gulf Malayalees after the DGCA closed the airspace of nine countries in the West Asian region due to the ongoing conflict.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation directed Indian airlines not to operate flights through these areas until the 28th. There is a possibility that flights to these areas may be cancelled, rescheduled, or diverted.

The airspaces of Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the UAE should be avoided. Airspaces over Oman and Saudi Arabia have been permitted with strict conditions. Aircraft should not fly below 32,000 feet in these airspaces. Services to places like Europe and North America may also be affected.

The DGCA assessed that all nine air routes are in the high-risk zone. The safety of passengers and flight crew is the priority. Indian airlines should strictly follow safety protocols. The DGCA also advised them to pay attention to Aeronautical Information Publications (AIP) and Notices to Airmen (NOTAM) issued by conflict-affected countries.