Parliament Question: Impact of West Asia Crisis on Aviation Sector

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 1936 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 30th July 2026 ) IMPACT OF WEST ASIA CRISIS ON AVIATION SECTOR 1936. ADV. K. FRANCIS GEORGE Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether the Government has assessed the impact of the ongoing West Asia crisis on India's aviation sector including air route disruptions, fuel costs, passenger traffic and cargo movement and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any review has identified gaps in aviation contingency planning including alternate routes, emergency operational arrangements and airline preparedness and if so, the details thereof; (c) the measures taken to protect passenger interests through fare monitoring, route management and operational continuity; (d) whether the Government has assessed the likely impact of prolonged regional instability on trade, tourism and the aviation sector and if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether any roadmap with measurable targets has been formulated to strengthen the resilience of India's aviation sector against geopolitical disruptions and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a): Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued advisories to ensure the safety of passengers, crew and aircraft in view of the evolving situation arising from the West Asia conflict. These advisories provide operational guidance on affected airspace, including Notices to Airmen (NOTAMs), Flight Information Region (FIR) boundaries and affected areas to facilitate safe flight operations. As informed by Indian carriers, re-routing of flights has resulted in increased flight duration, higher fuel consumption and additional operational costs. Airlines are taking necessary measures to ensure continuity of operations. (b): DGCA continuously monitors developments and issues operational advisories to airlines. Indian carriers undertake Safety Risk Assessments and adopt alternate routings, wherever required, to ensure safe operations.(c) to (e): A 24*7 Passenger Assistance Control Room was established for real-time coordination and passenger support, while the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) issued necessary safety advisories and operational guidance to airlines. Airlines were advised to facilitate refunds and rescheduling, and passenger assistance was strengthened through airport help desks and real-time travel updates. The Ministry also worked closely with the Ministry of External Affairs to address emerging requirements relating to Indian carriers and Indian nationals in the region. The Indian Mission in Riyadh, in coordination with Indian Missions in Bahrain, Iraq, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE, facilitated the transit of affected individuals through Saudi Arabia. ; ; The Government continuously monitors developments affecting civil aviation operations. ******