India, UAE and Oman to form trilateral panel to address flight disruptions amid tensions

A trilateral technical committee will be formed to address operational challenges affecting flights, involving India, the United Arab Emirates and Oman. The announcement comes from India's Union Civil Aviation Minister, who spoke after meeting UAE’s Economy and Tourism Minister.

The purpose of the committee is to develop coordinated solutions to airspace and flight-operation issues arising from evolving geopolitical tensions in the region. The ministers signaled that the group will work on practical measures to keep regional air traffic moving.

The plan was disclosed amid discussions about upcoming technical talks between ICAO’s Middle East and Asia-Pacific Regions, aimed at addressing the same broader concerns. The meetings underscore a focus on maintaining flight operations despite tensions.

The discussions occurred in the context of disruptions to Indian airline services, with cancellations reported to several Middle Eastern destinations due to airspace restrictions. The trilateral effort aims to provide a framework for smoother coordination among the involved nations.

The meeting also touched on broader civil aviation cooperation between India and Canada, including potential partnerships in air cargo connectivity and aviation training, though these topics are separate from the trilateral committee’s mandate.