Pilots’ association writes to aviation ministry for suspension of Air India flights to Gulf region; threatens legal action if no decision taken

Airline Pilots Association of India has sought immediate suspension of Air India flight operations to the Gulf region, citing serious safety risks amidst the ongoing tensions. In a letter to the Ministry of Civil Aviation today, the association said it would initiate legal action if immediate measures are not taken as lives of passengers and airline crew are at risk due to continued operations in or around the conflict zones.

Regulator advisory, renewed warning

Earlier, on March 18, ALPA India had raised the issue in a letter to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). Following this, the regulator issued an urgent safety advisory asking airlines to carry out individual risk assessments before operating flights in sensitive regions.

In a fresh letter dated March 27 to the Civil Aviation Secretary and the DGCA Director General, ALPA India president Captain Sam Thomas said operations to the Gulf region remain a matter of serious concern. 

“Operating flights into, or in close proximity to, an active war zone constitutes a serious and unacceptable risk to the safety of passengers, flight crew, and aircraft. In our considered view, such decisions amount to wilful endangerment of human life,” he wrote in the letter.

The association has called for an immediate review and suspension of flights in high-risk conflict zones until a centralised safety assessment is conducted. It also urged authorities to issue clear and binding guidelines for airline operations in such regions, aligned with international practices and intelligence inputs.

Insurance concerns and accountability

ALPA India further demanded accountability within Air India’s decision-making structure. "Initiate a thorough inquiry into the decision-making processes within Air India, particularly the roles of the Vice President – Operations and the Crew Scheduling Department, to determine accountability for exposing crew and passengers to such risks particularly if found not to have adequate war risk insurance," it said.

Pilot body warns of legal action 

The pilots’ body also raised concerns about the lack of clarity on war-risk insurance coverage for crew operating in such areas. It called for mandatory disclosure and verification of valid insurance, including war-risk clauses.

"We request an urgent response outlining the actions being taken to address this matter. Please be advised that we reserve the right to pursue appropriate legal remedies, including approaching the honourable Courts, should this issue not be addressed with the seriousness it warrants," the statement added.

Highlighting past aviation tragedies, the association referred to incidents such as Iran Air Flight 655 shootdown, Libyan Arab Airlines Flight 114 shootdown, and Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 shootdown, where civilian aircraft were targeted.

Pilots have also expressed anxiety over insurance protection while operating in high-risk zones. "To date, no documentary evidence or formal assurance has been provided to confirm that adequate war risk insurance coverage remains valid under these circumstances. It is perhaps because the airlines do not have suitable and adequate insurance riders entirely. This lack of transparency further exacerbates the risks and anxiety faced by crew and raises critical questions about liability and protection in the event of an incident," the letter said.