In response to Pakistan’s decision to close its airspace for Indian carriers, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has released a set of advisory guidelines for airlines. These guidelines are aimed at ensuring smooth passenger handling and maintaining transparency amidst the disruptions caused by rerouted international and regional flights.
The DGCA emphasised that airlines must proactively inform passengers about any changes in flight routing due to the airspace restrictions. Additionally, airlines should prepare passengers for possible increased block times and the potential for technical halts en route, either for operational needs or fuel requirements.
Recent tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in 26 casualties, led Pakistan to close its airspace on Thursday. This move is expected to cause longer flight durations and possible fare hikes, adding further urgency to the need for clear and timely communication between airlines and passengers.
To minimise inconvenience, the DGCA directed airline operators to implement robust pre-flight communication measures, ensuring compliance with the new operational conditions and safeguarding passenger welfare. The advisory underscores the importance of maintaining transparency during this period of airspace restrictions.
