War Detours Stretch Airline Crew

Pilots, Reroutes, and War Risk: The Hidden Cost of India's West Asia Flight Operation

By Neelam Mathews

A small group of India‑based pilots rostered to West Asia routes have recently reported sick, citing rising anxiety over the escalating conflict and concern for their families. This comes despite no incidents involving commercial aircraft in the region so far. 

One pilot told The Core the intensifying war was causing severe stress and triggering debilitating migraines ahead of flights.

Meanwhile, Air India has requested the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) on March 12 to relax duty‑hour limits, which has become a pressure point. 

War Time Duty Hours  

Air India wants longer Flight Duty Periods and approval to operate certain long‑haul sectors with fewer pilots, arguing conflict‑driven reroutes are stretching aircraft utilisation and straining an already tight pilot pool.

Pilots have pushed back hard. They have said extending duty hours in the middle of an active conflict heightens fatigue risk precisely when vigilance should be at its peak. The detours, now looping via Oman, southern Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Greece, keep aircraft out of conflict‑affected Flight Information Regions (FIR) but significantly lengthen duty days and workload.

With Indian carriers already short of cockpit crew, pilots insist long‑haul flying needs more pilots, not fewer, and that safety margins cannot be traded for schedule integrity. With Iranian, Iraqi and Pakistani airspace shut, Europe and US flights are running 90-120 minutes longer. 

Despite the unease, most pilots The Core spoke to continue operating, noting aviation is an essential service and rerouting keeps them out of high‑risk airspace. Their willingness, however, is conditional —  they will fly only if safety protocols, rest norms and fatigue science are upheld. The decision now rests with the regulator to balance operational continuity with crew wellbeing amid a volatile geopolitical backdrop.

Guidelines And Regulator 

Repatriation of citizens is a key reason airlines need to fly into conflict zones. Geneva Convention IV sets the baseline for civilian repatriation in conflict zones. Returns must be safe, risk‑free and conducted with dignity, protecting people’s rights and basic needs. 

A senior airline official told The Core that repatriation flights begin with a granular risk assessment to determine the stability of the conflict area for an aircraft to depart. Airlines must have war‑risk insurance. “Even with cover in place, airlines must weigh missile threats, NOTAM (Notice to Air Missions) and diversion options before deciding if a route is viable,” he said.

In Europe, pilots are legally required to decline a duty if fatigued. India’s DGCA mirrors the principle: pilots must self-declare, operators cannot roster or pressure a fatigued pilot, and a mandatory report follows.

India does not phrase this as forcefully; the intent is similar. Mindsets, however, differ. Mindsets, however, are different. An Indian pilot to self‑declare fatigue counts as unfitness, a professional stigma.

The conflict in West Asia has fractured its aviation grid, forcing Indian carriers into rapid, hour‑by‑hour recalibration. 

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India Boosts LPG Supply As Gulf War Strains Industry, Households Shielded

By Zinal Dedhia

What?

As the military confrontation involving Iran, Israel, and the US enters its 14th consecutive day, the ripple effects of the hostilities continued to manifest across India’s critical infrastructure.

Domestic production of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) rose by 30% on Friday as the Indian government moved to stabilise fuel availability and quell public anxiety. With the conflict involving Iran, Israel, and the US entering its third week, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has directed all refineries to maximise output, pushing utilisation rates beyond 100% capacity to ensure the nation’s "highest priority" consumers remain insulated.

The government has prioritised Piped Natural Gas (PNG) for households and CNG for transport under the Natural Gas (Supply Regulation) Order, 2026, classifying them as the highest-priority sectors for gas allocation. Commercial users facing LPG supply issues have been encouraged to shift to the City Gas Distribution (CGD) network.

Why?

The supply strain is also visible in the liquefied natural gas (LNG) market. Qatar, which accounts for nearly 45% of India’s LNG imports, has declared force majeure on several deliveries following disruptions at its Ras Laffan facility.

The tightening supply could affect the CGD industry, which depends on imports for around 40% of its gas requirements. According to CRISIL Ratings, reduced LNG availability could lead to an 8–10% decline in daily sales volumes for the sector.

The impact is expected to fall mainly on industrial and commercial consumers, who rely heavily on imported LNG. Household PNG and CNG segments — accounting for about 70% of total volumes — are likely to remain largely insulated due to priority allocation.
City gas distributors have also sought to reassure consumers. Mahanagar Gas Ltd (MGL) said domestic PNG supply for household cooking and CNG for transport vehicles will continue uninterrupted across its operational areas.

Similarly, Indraprastha Gas Ltd (IGL) has said households will continue to receive a stable and uninterrupted gas supply.

4.17 lakh units

That's how many cars were dispatched to dealers in March, a 10.6% rise compared with the same month last year, according to data released by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers (SIAM).

Context: This was the fifth straight month that dispatches to car dealers rose. They attributed this rise to tax deductions continuing to fuel growth. SIAM said that Industry sentiment remained positive as passenger vehicles, two-wheelers, and three-wheelers recorded their highest-ever February sales in 2026, posting double-digit growth compared with February 2025.

What Next? While domestic demand is expected to remain strong, the West Asia conflict cannot be ignored by the sector. "The recent conflict in West Asia remains a concern, both from the perspective of the supply chain, which could impact the manufacturing processes and exports. Industry would keep a close watch on evolving Geopolitical developments," said Rajesh Menon, Director General of SIAM.

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India Denies Trade Deal Delay

India’s commerce ministry on Friday said India remains engaged with Washington on a mutually beneficial bilateral trade agreement, denying media reports that negotiations had been put on hold, according to Press Trust of India.

Flashpoint: Reuters reported four sources as saying India may delay signing a trade deal with the United States by several months as talks slow amid fresh tensions. The setback follows new probes by the administration of Donald Trump into what it calls excess industrial capacity among trading partners, including India.

How We Got Here: The investigation — launched under Section 301 of the Trade Act of 1974 — has reportedly complicated talks that were earlier expected to produce an interim agreement by March, said the report by Reuters. Indian officials are said to be taking a “wait-and-watch” approach as US tariff policy evolves, even as Washington expects New Delhi to honour earlier commitments on tariffs, energy purchases and market access.

Diamonds Regain Shine

Tariff relief by the US is set to lift India’s diamond polishing industry after several weak years, but the crisis in West Asia could prevent the industry from reaping optimum benefits. According to CRISIL Ratings, revenue of Indian diamantaires could grow 6–7% in fiscal 2027 to about $15–15.5 billion, driven by stronger exports after the removal of the 25% reciprocal tariff on gems and diamonds.

Fast Facts: “In fiscal 2027, export volume of polished diamonds is expected to rise 4–6%, driven by the US tariff relief and multiple trade agreements,” said Rahul Guha, noting that exports to the US are likely to recover as demand and disposable incomes improve.

What Now? Still, the outlook without risk. The ongoing West Asia conflict could disrupt shipments because Indian polishers import a large share of rough diamonds from the region, even as competition from lab-grown diamonds continues to pressure prices and margins.

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