ADC & FIC numbers in India: what operators need

The ADC number

The Air Defence Clearance (ADC) number is an air-defence confirmation for aircraft entering or operating within India's Air Defence Identification Zones. It is issued through the Indian air-defence and air traffic services chain once a valid flight plan and the underlying clearance are in place.

For departures from India, the ADC number is normally obtained through ATC before departure — often via the local handling agent — and passed to the crew. For arrivals and overflights, ATC typically confirms the number to the crew as the aircraft approaches Indian airspace.

The FIC number

The FIC number is issued by the Flight Information Centre and confirms that the flight plan has been accepted for the flight. Together with the ADC number it forms the confirmation crews quote to ATC. Crews may be asked to read back both numbers before a departure clearance is given.

How LFS handles both

LFS does not issue ADC or FIC numbers. It prepares the trip so that the clearance, the flight plan and the handler arrangements match, which is what allows the numbers to be issued without query. When a schedule changes, LFS updates the flight plan and handler so the crew is briefed to re-confirm both numbers.

Why mismatches cause delays

ADC and FIC numbers are tied to the flight as filed. If the aircraft departs significantly outside the filed time, enters Indian airspace at a different point or flies a different routing, the numbers may no longer be valid and the crew can be held while they are re-issued. The validity window is set by the authorities and can vary; LFS briefs crews to treat any significant change as a trigger to re-confirm.

The most reliable way to avoid problems is a consistent file: the same routing, entry point, schedule and aircraft details on the clearance, the ICAO flight plan and the handler's paperwork.

• Filed routing and FIR entry point match the clearance
• Estimated off-block time is current and in UTC
• Aircraft registration and type are identical on every document
• Handler at the departure airport has the latest flight plan

Departures from Indian airports

On departure, crews should confirm the ADC and FIC numbers with ATC early — before the aircraft is ready to start — so that any query about routing, documents or fees can be resolved without holding at the gate. The handler can usually obtain the numbers on the crew's behalf and pass them in the crew briefing.

Some Indian airports also ask the pilot in command to sign a printed copy of the flight plan. LFS and the handler confirm the local practice for the departure airport in advance.

Overflights of Indian airspace

Overflights do not land, but they still enter Indian air-defence zones and therefore still receive ADC confirmation. The overflight clearance reference should be included in the flight plan; ATC confirms the ADC number as the aircraft approaches the Indian FIR boundary.

Neighbouring states in South Asia apply similar air-defence confirmation systems. For a multi-country routing, LFS maps each requirement so the crew briefing shows every confirmation expected along the route.

Where ADC and FIC fit in the wider trip

The numbers sit alongside the flight clearance described on our India flight clearance page, which is lodged through a DGCA-listed flight clearing agency. LFS coordinates the clearance, flight plan, handling and fuel as one file. For a complete country overview, see India flight support.

Frequently asked questions