India’s pilots’ body has urged heightened caution for flights operating near conflict zones, asking aviators to ensure airlines conduct thorough risk assessments amid escalating tensions in West Asia. The Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA) India on Tuesday asked its members to ensure that airline operators carry out "appropriate operational risk assessments" before planning flights in or near conflict-affected areas. ADVERTISEMENTIn an advisory to all pilots under an Indian licence, ALPA India said that the pilots must remain aware that the risk environment in conflict-affected areas can change rapidly and without adequate warning. ALPA India, an affiliate of the International Federation of Air Line Pilots Association (IFALPA), noted the rapidly evolving and "potentially hazardous" security environment in parts of the Middle East region. While operators may continue scheduling flights through certain airspaces based on regulatory clearances or operational considerations, ALPA India cautioned that pilots must remain aware that the risk environment in these areas can change rapidly and without adequate warning.

Source: The Telegraph March 17, 2026 10:35 UTC