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India Sets Up 24x7 Air Travel Control Room Amid Middle East Airspace Crisis

The Indian Ministry of Civil Aviation has activated a 24x7 Passenger Assistance Control Room to monitor the situation amid escalating tensions in the Middle East. This follows an urgent safety advisory from the DGCA, warning of critical hazards to civil aviation over Iran and the Persian Gulf. The advisory highlights risks from retaliatory attacks, advanced military weaponry, and potential misidentification of civilian aircraft. The crisis has already led to airspace closures, forcing global airlines to alter flight paths.

Key Points: India's 24x7 Passenger Control Room for Middle East Airspace Crisis

  • 24x7 control room established
  • DGCA issues urgent safety advisory
  • High risk from retaliatory actions & advanced weaponry
  • Airlines rerouting due to airspace closures
2 min read

Civil Aviation Ministry sets up 24x7 Passenger Assistance Control Room amid Middle East airspace crisis

India establishes a 24x7 control room and issues safety advisory for airlines due to high-risk airspace over Iran and Middle East.

"Potential attacks against U.S. and Israeli assets in the region, affecting both Iranian airspace and neighboring states - DGCA Advisory"

New Delhi, March 1

The Ministry of Civil Aviation has set up a 24x7 Passenger Assistance Control Room to review preparedness in view of the evolving airspace restrictions over Iran and parts of the Middle East.

Earlier on Saturday, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued an urgent safety advisory to all Indian air operators, warning of heightened risks to civil aviation in the Middle East and Persian Gulf airspace following a sharp escalation in regional tensions.

The advisory was issued on Saturday after a review of the Conflict Zone Information Bulletin (CZIB No.: 2026-03) published by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). It cautioned that recent military strikes conducted by the United States and Israel against targets in Iran have created a high-risk operating environment for civil aircraft.

According to the DGCA, Iran has announced retaliatory measures, raising concerns over potential spill-over risks to civilian aviation. The regulator flagged several critical hazards, including possible retaliatory attacks affecting Iranian airspace and neighbouring states, the presence of advanced weaponry such as cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, all-altitude air defence systems and military air assets, as well as the risk of misidentification of civilian aircraft or operational errors during military interception procedures.

"The current situation presents the following critical hazards to civil flight operations: Retaliatory Actions: Potential attacks against U.S. and Israeli assets in the region, affecting both Iranian airspace and neighboring states; Weaponry Capabilities: The presence of all-altitude capable air-defense systems, cruise missiles, ballistic missiles, and military air assets; Operational Errors: High probability of "spill-over" risks, including misidentification of civil aircraft, miscalculation, or failure of military interception procedures," the advisory read.

This comes amid heightened geopolitical tensions following military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeting Iranian sites. Iran has also carried out strikes in the region, apparently targeting US military baes. The escalation has led to temporary airspace closures in parts of West Asia, forcing airlines worldwide to reassess routes that traditionally pass through or near affected corridors.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good move, but the real question is about the rerouting. Will this lead to massive flight delays and increased ticket prices for flights to Europe and the US? Airlines should be transparent about schedule changes and not use this as an excuse for last-minute price hikes.
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David E
The DGCA advisory is quite detailed and frankly, a bit scary. "Misidentification of civil aircraft" is a terrifying prospect. Safety must be the absolute priority, even if it means longer flight times. Full support to the authorities on this.
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Aman W
While the control room is a welcome step, I hope the ministry is also coordinating with our airlines on contingency plans. Air India and IndiGo have many flights through that region. Jai Hind, and stay safe everyone flying.
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Sarah B
It's a volatile situation created far from our borders, but it impacts global citizens. India's measured response—setting up assistance rather than just issuing warnings—shows good governance. The focus on passenger communication is key.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, I hope this control room is properly staffed and not just a token announcement. We've seen helplines fail during crises before. The proof will be in its effectiveness if a family actually needs help with a stranded passenger.

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