Parliament Question: Impact of West Asian Conflict

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. : 6372 ( TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 2nd April 2026 ) IMPACT OF WEST ASIAN CONFLICT 6372. SHRI SURESH KUMAR SHETKAR Will the Minister of CIVIL AVIATION be pleased to state:- (a) whether cargo operations, particularly pharmaceutical and perishable exports, have been disrupted due to longer flight routes and airspace congestion and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether contingency evacuation plans are in place for Indian nationals residing in Gulf nations in case of further escalation of hostilities and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether aviation insurance premiums for Indian airlines have increased due to war-risk coverage in West Asian sectors and if so, the assessment of the financial impact thereof; (d) whether any coordination meetings have been held with major Indian carriers including Air India and IndiGo to review preparedness and passenger safety measures and if so, the details thereof; and (e) whether the Government is formulating a long-term aviation risk management strategy to mitigate disruptions caused by geopolitical conflicts affecting critical international air routes and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION (Shri Murlidhar Mohol) (a) Cargo operations have experienced operational disruption attributable to external airspace restrictions, extended routings and airspace congestion. All types of cargo was impacted including pharmaceutical and perishable goods. (b) The Government accords the highest priority to the safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad and closely monitors evolving global situations. Regular advisories are issued to keep citizens informed on the situation, safety measures and available travel options. Indian Missions in the affected areas provide 24x7 assistance through emergency helplines, while a dedicated Special Control Room in the Ministry of External Affairs ensures real-time monitoring, coordination and prompt response to queries from affected nationals and their families. The Government has facilitated the return of over 4.75 lakh Indian nationals by commercial flights, including non-scheduled operations, from these regions till 25 March 2026. (c) to (e) War-risk insurance premiums for flights to West Asian destinations have witnessed escalation in the wake of the prevailing situation, resulting in an increase in the operating costs.The situation is being closely monitored by the Ministry of Civil Aviation. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) follows a risk-based regulatory approach, wherein airlines are required to take operational decisions based on their internal safety risk assessments, operational considerations and prevailing threat perceptions. Accordingly, airlines conduct detailed safety risk assessments for their operations and routing, including those in conflict- prone regions. ******