India, March 1 -- The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has issued a stern alert to airlines and airports amid escalating tensions in the Middle East, to avoid airspaces of 11 countries, including Iran, Saudi Arabia, UAE, till March 2, triggering precautionary measures across the country's civil aviation network.

The countries are Iran, Israel, Lebanon, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Qatar. Many airspaces are already shut in the wake of the attacks on Iran by Israel and the US on Saturday. Indian airlines have suspended their services to the Middle East.

The DGCA said this advisory is effective immediately and remains valid until March 2, 2026, unless reviewed or superseded by further developments....