Airline Pilots' Association of India (ALPA) has urged the Indian civil aviation ministry and regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to suspend flight operations into high-risk conflict zones till a centralised risk assessment is carried out amid the escalating West Asia crisis.
In a letter addressed to DGCA on 27 March 2026, the Association stressed the need for war-risk insurance. It said the regulator should mandate immediate disclosure and verification of valid insurance coverage, including war-risk clauses, for all crew operating into or near conflict zones. ALPA had earlier sought measures for war-risk insurance coverage for crew and passengers.
The Middle East conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran has significantly disrupted flight operations, and airlines have curtailed their services.
ALPA India, in its communication, said commercial airlines do not possess the requisite intelligence, surveillance capabilities, or geopolitical risk assessment infrastructure necessary to adequately evaluate threats in active conflict environments.
ALPA said, “The DGCA should immediately review and suspend operations into identified high-risk conflict zones until a centralised and authoritative risk assessment is conducted, especially in light of the worsening situation.”
ALPA has also called for a thorough inquiry to be initiated into the decision-making processes of some airlines to determine accountability for exposing crew and passengers to such risks, particularly if found not to have adequate war risk insurance.