Pilots' association urges govt to suspend flights to UAE, other high-risk Gulf destinations

Synopsis

Indian pilots urged suspending flights to the UAE and Gulf nations. They cited worsening security and explicit threats to Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Military escalation in the region heightens civil aviation operational risks. Geopolitical tensions disrupt global aviation and force flight rerouting. Concerns over missile attacks and airspace closures are significant.

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Pilots' body flags Dubai, Abu Dhabi threats, seeks flight suspension

Mumbai: The Airline Pilots' Association of India has urged government to suspend commercial flights to UAE and other high-risk destinations in the Gulf, warning of sharply rising risks to civil aviation in view of the worsening security scenario in West Asia.

In a letter to civil aviation minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu and Directorate General of Civil Aviation Monday, the pilots' body said "the security situation has now deteriorated further" and that "recent reports of explicit threats directed against Dubai and Abu Dhabi, coupled with the continuing military escalation in the region, significantly heighten the risk to civil aviation operations".

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The appeal comes as geopolitical tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt global aviation, forcing airlines to reroute flights and avoid conflict-affected airspaces amid concerns over missile attacks, GPS jamming, electronic warfare, and sudden airspace closures.