The civil aviation ministry has advised domestic airlines to assess the risks before flying on international routes amid growing tensions in the Middle East.

Vumlunmang Vualnam, the civil aviation secretary, on April 16 said that the government has asked the airlines to carry out their own risk assessment before flying on these routes.

The directorate general of civil aviation (DGCA) is in constant touch with the airlines and the ministry of external affairs, the secretary said.

Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones towards Israel on Sunday in an unprecedented revenge attack. After the attack, several Indian carriers, including Air India, Vistara and IndiGo changed their flight court to avoid the Iranian airspace. Meanwhile, Air India has also temporarily halted its flights to Tel Aviv.

Some of these steps have forced the carriers to take longer routes, which has increased the duration of the flights.

Suprio Banerjee, vice president & sector head, Corporate Ratings at ICRA, said these changes will lead to higher flying costs as longer routes will lead to more fuel expenses.

"This will also impact international air travel to the directly affected and potentially affected nearby geographies during the upcoming summer holiday season if the issue persists,'' Banerjee said.

Manan Bajoria, group vice president of growth at travel portal ixigo, also said that the temporary rejig in flight routes because of the geopolitical tensions could lead to higher expenses, especially for flight going to and from Europe, Middle East, and Southeast Asia.

He said, "Lengthy diversions will add to airline fuel costs and may lead to an increase in airfares across these routes.”

A major worry for the airlines is the cost of crude oil and Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). Prolonged tensions in the Middle East could put more pressure on fuel prices, which has been on the higher side compared to the pre-Covid period.

(With inputs from PTI)