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Pakistani Pilots in Indian Airspace: Rules, Incident Raise Security Questions.
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News18•01-10-2026, 15:15
Pakistani Pilots in Indian Airspace: Rules, Incident Raise Security Questions.
- •A violent altercation on FlyDubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv has raised serious questions about international civil aviation safety.
- •Indian Captain Smit Machhar was attacked by his Omani co-pilot, but his quick thinking prevented a crash.
- •DGCA rules prohibit Pakistani nationals from being appointed as pilots or crew in Indian-registered airlines like Air India and IndiGo.
- •Pakistani pilots working for international airlines can use Indian airspace under ICAO rules, but security checks apply for landings in India.
- •Questions arise regarding the Omani co-pilot's assignment to an Israeli route, given the lack of formal diplomatic relations between Israel and Oman.
Key Questions Answered
According to DGCA rules, Pakistani nationals are not allowed to be appointed as pilots or crew members in Indian-registered airlines like Air India and IndiGo.
If a Pakistani national works as a pilot for an international airline such as Emirates or Qatar Airways, they are permitted to use Indian airspace under the rules set by the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
When a foreign airline flight lands in India, security checks and protocols are implemented by the civil aviation authority and the Ministry of Home Affairs, which may include additional surveillance or rostering restrictions for crew from high-risk countries.
