Picture used for illustrative purpose only.

Indian airlines will re-route their flights, avoiding Iranian airspace, aviation regulator Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) said on Saturday, in light of the heightened geopolitical tensions between the US and Iran.

"All Indian operators in consultation with DGCA have decided to avoid the affected part of Iranian airspace to ensure safe travel for the passengers. They will re-route flights suitably," the DGCA said in a tweet.

The DGCA advisory comes a day after the American aviation regulator Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), had issued a Notice to Airmen (NOTAM) prohibiting US-registered aircraft from operating "in the overwater area of the Tehran Flight Information Region until further notice, due to heightened military activities and increased political tensions".

The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) of the United Arab Emirates has asked registered air operators to re-route their flights after Iran shot down a US reconnaissance drone over the Strait of Hormuz.

Earlier, American carrier United Airlines stated that it had suspended New York/Newark-Mumbai flights on Friday. Qantas, Air France and KLM later announced they would also avoid flying through the region.

Singapore Airlines and Malaysia Airlines also announced to join other airlines in rerouting flights away from the Strait of Hormuz.

US President Donald Trump on Friday said he was in "no hurry" to retaliate.

Trump warned that the "we were cocked and loaded to retaliate last night" but chose otherwise as it was "not proportionate to shooting down an unmanned drone".

Indo-Asian News Service