The DGCA’s advisory emphasises five critical areas: pre-flight communication, in-flight catering and comfort, medical preparedness, customer service readiness, and intra-departmental coordination
India’s aviation regulator, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), has issued an advisory to airlines following the closure of Pakistani airspace to Indian carriers, which has led to longer flight durations on several international routes. The move comes in the wake of rising tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam terror attack that claimed at least 26 lives.
The advisory, released on Saturday, outlines key measures for airlines to ensure that passengers are properly informed and supported during extended flight operations. These measures come in response to significant rerouting of flights, increased block times, and the possibility of technical halts during journeys.
Block time refers to the total duration from the time an aircraft departs the gate at the origin airport to the time it arrives at the gate at the destination. Due to the airspace restrictions imposed by Pakistan, several flights, particularly those originating from northern Indian cities such as Delhi, are experiencing considerable extensions in their flying time.
The DGCA’s advisory emphasises five critical areas: pre-flight communication, in-flight catering and comfort, medical preparedness, customer service readiness, and intra-departmental coordination. The regulator noted that the ongoing international airspace closures have disrupted airline operations and necessitated technical halts for operational or refuelling purposes.
Airlines have been directed to proactively inform passengers about route changes and revised travel durations, including any scheduled or potential technical stops at intermediate airports. Passengers must be clearly advised that such stops are operational in nature and that they will typically remain onboard during these halts. This information should be conveyed at multiple touchpoints such as check-in counters, boarding gates, and, where feasible, through SMS or email alerts.
Catering arrangements must also be updated in line with the revised block times. The DGCA instructed airlines to ensure that an adequate supply of meals and beverages is available for passengers throughout the extended duration of the flight, including during any technical halts. In addition, airlines must ensure that sufficient first aid resources and medical kits are available onboard.
From a customer service perspective, the DGCA highlighted the need for call centre and reservations teams to be briefed on potential delays and disruptions. Airlines are encouraged to put in place robust systems for managing missed onward connections and providing assistance to affected passengers.
The closure of Pakistan’s airspace has had an immediate impact on Indian carriers. IndiGo, one of the country’s largest airlines, stated on Friday that around 50 of its international routes would now require longer flying sectors and may undergo schedule adjustments as a result. The airline also confirmed that, due to operational limitations and the new routing requirements, services to destinations such as Almaty and Tashkent would be suspended temporarily.
Flights to Almaty have been cancelled from 27 April until at least 7 May, while services to Tashkent will not operate between 28 April and 7 May.
The geopolitical developments have once again underscored the vulnerability of commercial aviation to international conflicts and territorial disputes. With limited rerouting options and increased operational complexities, airlines are now navigating a challenging airspace environment. The DGCA’s advisory seeks to mitigate passenger discomfort and maintain service quality during this period of disruption.
As the situation continues to unfold, airlines, passengers, and aviation authorities alike are bracing for further adjustments, while hoping for a resolution that will allow for a return to regular operations.