**Executive Summary**
The Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA) conducted a review of aviation preparedness and response measures due to the evolving situation in the Middle East. The review, which took place on February 28, 2026, focused on passenger safety, operational continuity, and real-time coordination, especially considering airspace restrictions and NOTAMs in the region. Indian carriers are advised to continuously monitor airspace advisories and ensure timely rerouting or diversion of flights.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Overall Objective:** Ensure passenger safety, operational continuity, and real-time coordination.
* **Airspace Monitoring & Flight Operations:**
* Indian carriers operating international services are advised to continuously monitor airspace advisories, NOTAMs, and route restrictions.
* Airlines have been directed to ensure timely rerouting or diversion of flights in accordance with safety protocols and contingency plans.
* **Airport Preparedness:**
* Airports, especially major international gateways, are on operational alert for potential flight diversions and unscheduled landings.
* Airports Authority of India and private operators are to enhance coordination with airlines for ground handling, parking, passenger amenities, crew logistics, and immigration support.
* **Regulatory Coordination:**
* Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) is to coordinate with airlines to ensure compliance with safety regulations, crew duty time limitations, and operational advisories.
* Continuous monitoring mechanisms should be activated to assess airspace dynamics and mitigate any impact on domestic schedules.
* **Information Flow:**
* The Ministry is in close touch with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure seamless information flow for any emergent requirements involving Indian carriers or nationals abroad.
* **Passenger Communication:**
* Passengers are advised to stay in contact with their airlines for travel information and schedule changes.
* Airlines must proactively communicate with passengers regarding delays, rerouting, or diversions.
* **Ongoing Monitoring:** The Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely monitoring the situation and will provide further updates.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Indian Carriers Operating International Services**
* **Impact:** Need to continuously monitor airspace advisories, NOTAMs, and route restrictions.
* **Action Required:** Ensure timely rerouting or diversion of flights in accordance with global safety protocols and established contingency planning procedures. Proactively communicate with passengers regarding delays, rerouting, or diversions.
**Stakeholder: Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Private Airport Operators**
* **Impact:** Increased operational alert level to manage potential flight diversions and unscheduled landings.
* **Action Required:** Maintain enhanced coordination with airlines for ground handling, parking bays, passenger amenities, crew logistics and immigration support.
**Stakeholder: Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)**
* **Impact:** Responsible for ensuring airline compliance with safety regulations.
* **Action Required:** Remain in close coordination with airlines to ensure full compliance with safety regulations, crew duty time limitations, and operational advisories. Activate continuous monitoring mechanisms to assess airspace dynamics and mitigate any cascading impact on domestic schedules.
**Stakeholder: Passengers**
* **Impact:** Potential for flight delays, rerouting, or diversions.
* **Action Required:** Stay in regular contact with respective airlines for updated travel information and schedule changes.
**Stakeholder: Ministry of External Affairs**
* **Impact:** Facilitate information flow for emergent requirements of Indian carriers or Indian nationals abroad.
* **Action Required:** Ensure appropriate coordination in case of any emergent requirements involving Indian carriers or Indian nationals abroad.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Civil Aviation: The primary entity responsible for reviewing aviation preparedness in response to the situation in the Middle East.
Middle East: The location whose evolving situation is the catalyst for the policy review regarding aviation preparedness.
Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA): A regulator advised to coordinate with airlines to ensure compliance with safety regulations and operational advisories.
Airports Authority of India (AAI): Entity responsible for managing airports, advised to coordinate with airlines for ground handling and passenger support.
NOTAMs: Aviation notices that are being monitored and reviewed to ensure passenger safety and operational continuity.
Ministry of Civil Aviation
MoCA Reviews Aviation Preparedness in View of
Emerging Situation in the Middle East
Posted On: 28 FEB 2026 5:47PM by PIB Delhi
In view of the evolving situation in the Middle East and its potential impact on international air
operations, the Hon’ble Minister of Civil Aviation has undertaken a comprehensive review of
preparedness and response measures with all concerned stakeholders.
A high-level meeting through a video conference was convened with Secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation
and other senior officials of the Ministry, the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the Directorate General of
Civil Aviation (DGCA), airline operators, and major airport operators across the country. The review
focused on ensuring passenger safety, operational continuity and real-time coordination in light of
multiple airspace restrictions and NOTAMs issued in parts of the region.
Indian carriers operating international services have been advised to continuously monitor airspace
advisories, NOTAMs, and route restrictions issued by the concerned authorities. Airlines have been
directed to ensure timely rerouting or diversion of flights, wherever required, strictly in accordance with
global safety protocols and established contingency planning procedures.Airports across the country, particularly major international gateways, have been placed on operational
alert to manage potential flight diversions, unscheduled landings and passenger facilitation requirements.
The Airports Authority of India and private airport operators have been advised to maintain enhanced
coordination with airlines for ground handling, parking bays, passenger amenities, crew logistics and
immigration support, as necessary.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has been advised to remain in close coordination with airlines to
ensure full compliance with safety regulations, crew duty time limitations, and operational advisories.
Further, continuous monitoring mechanisms should be activated to assess the evolving airspace dynamics
and mitigate any cascading impact on domestic schedules.
The Ministry is also in close touch with the Ministry of External Affairs to ensure seamless information
flow and appropriate coordination in case of any emergent requirements involving Indian carriers or
Indian nationals abroad.Passengers are advised to stay in regular contact with their respective airlines for updated travel
information and schedule changes. Airlines have been instructed to proactively communicate with
passengers regarding delays, rerouting, or diversions to minimize inconvenience.
The safety of passengers and crew remains paramount. The Ministry of Civil Aviation is closely
monitoring the situation to ensure safe, orderly, and efficient air operations.
The situation is under constant watch. Further updates will follow as necessary.
***
Divyanshu Kumar
(Release ID: 2233955) Visitor Counter : 706
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