New Delhi: The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on Saturday banned Indian airline carriers from flying over the Iranian airspace, specifically the over-water area of Tehran, fearing an increase in hostilities between the US and Iran and to ensure the safety of passengers, crew and aircraft flying the route.
The decision, which will impact Air India and IndiGo, comes a day after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) banned US carriers from flying over the Iranian airspace, days after Iran shot down an unmanned US drone. As a result, US mega carrier United Airlines has suspended its direct flight from Newark to Mumbai.
In a statement issued through its Twitter handle, the DGCA said, “Indian operators, in consultation with the DGCA, have decided to avoid the affected part of Iranian airspace to ensure safe travel for passengers. They will reroute flights suitably.” It did not, however, mention whether flying was allowed over the rest of the Iranian airspace.
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 (@DGCAIndia) June 22, 2019
This move will affect Air India and IndiGo’s westbound flights from India, including flights to Europe, Qatar and the US, and vice versa, as they fly over Iranian airspace. Several European carriers have also decided not to fly over Iran.
Air India chairman and managing director Ashwani Lohani said, “There will be no substantial effect on Air India’s flights. Details are being worked out for re-routing the incoming flights.”
This diversion will put an additional financial burden on Air India which has been incurring losses since the ban on flying over Pakistani airspace a few months ago.
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Etihad Airways has also suspended operations through Iranian airspace over the Straits of Hormuz and the Gulf of Oman, and will use alternative flight paths on several routes to and from Abu Dhabi until further notice, the airline said.
“These changes will cause delays on some departures from Abu Dhabi, due to increased congestion in available airspace, and will increase journey times on some routes,” it added.