PANAJI: Goa’s air links with the Gulf have taken a hit following a wave of flight cancellations triggered by escalating tensions in West Asia and fresh aviation safety advisories.
All Gulf Air flights to and from Dabolim airport have been cancelled until March 26, while Air India Express services on the Goa–Dubai route stand suspended until March 28. Passengers have been advised to check directly with their airlines for updates and rebooking options.
The disruptions come in the wake of an advisory issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), asking airlines to avoid operating in several high-risk airspaces across West Asia. These include Bahrain, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.
The regulator has cited a “high-risk environment for civil aviation” following recent military strikes by the United States and Israel on targets in Iran, and Tehran’s subsequent warning of retaliatory measures.
Airlines have been directed to completely avoid these airspaces at all flight levels. However, operations over Oman and Saudi Arabia may continue under strict conditions. The DGCA has specified that flights must not operate below 32,000 feet in certain segments of these regions.
The advisory, which has come into immediate effect, will remain in force until March 28 unless reviewed earlier.
While airlines may choose to continue operations to affected destinations, the DGCA has made it clear that such decisions must be backed by comprehensive internal safety risk assessments and strong contingency planning.
Carriers have also been instructed to keep flight crews updated with the latest NOTAMs (Notices to Airmen), which provide real-time information on airspace restrictions and operational hazards.
