With the conflict in West Asia intensifying, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has asked Indian airlines to avoid flying through 11 high-risk airspaces across West Asia and Persian Gulf, flagging a sharply deteriorating security environment following the recent US-Israel and Iran war. In an advisory issued late Thursday, the regulator said the situation posed “significant risks” to civil aviation, warning that Tehran’s retaliatory actions could spill over into wider regional airspace. The restrictions will remain in force till March 28, unless reviewed earlier.The DGCA identified Iran, Israel, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, the UAE, Qatar and Kuwait as high-risk zones, covering all altitudes and flight levels. It cautioned the airlines against operating in these regions, citing threats ranging from possible attacks on US and Israeli assets to operational hazards arising from the ongoing military activity.The advisory specifically bars operations below FL320 in Saudi Arabian and Omani airspace, even in permitted zones, and calls for enhanced surveillance mechanisms for any flights operating near conflict zones. The airlines have also been asked to maintain constant watch on Aeronautical Information Publications and NOTAM updates issued by the regional authorities.The regulator further underlined the need for contingency planning for flights operating to airports in the affected region, noting that international carriers continued to maintain limited operations despite the escalating risks. Existing advisories for Syrian and Yemeni airspace remain unchanged and fully applicable.This is the sixth such advisory, indicating a rapidly evolving crisis that is beginning to reshape aviation operations in and around one of the world’s busiest transit corridors.The fallout is already visible on the ground. Indian carriers have started increasing fuel surcharges on both domestic and international routes as aviation turbine fuel prices surge amid supply disruptions linked to the conflict. Industry estimates suggest jet fuel prices have nearly doubled since the hostilities escalated on February 28, significantly inflating operating costs, given that fuel accounts for up to 40 per cent of airline expenditure.The airlines are also being forced to reroute flights to avoid conflict zones, resulting in longer flying times, higher fuel burn and cascading operational costs. These diversions are expected to put further pressure on fares in the coming weeks.