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Emirates Cancels India Flights Amid Gulf Tensions; Passengers Stranded

Emirates has canceled multiple flights from Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru due to airspace restrictions and safety concerns stemming from escalating tensions in the Gulf region. The cancellations have left numerous passengers stranded, disrupting connections through Dubai, a major international transit hub. Airport authorities are advising travelers to contact the airline for updates on rescheduling and alternative arrangements. The situation is evolving, with airlines and airport officials coordinating to manage the impact on affected passengers.

Key Points: Emirates Cancels India Flights Over Gulf Airspace Safety

  • Flights canceled over Gulf airspace safety
  • Passengers stranded at major Indian airports
  • Disruptions hit key transit hub Dubai
  • Airlines coordinating for alternatives
2 min read

Emirates cancels flights from Chennai amid Gulf tensions; passengers stranded

Emirates flights from Chennai, Kolkata & Bengaluru canceled due to Gulf tensions, stranding passengers. Airspace restrictions cause major travel disruptions.

"Passengers were seen waiting at the airport terminals seeking clarification on rescheduling options. - Airport Sources"

Chennai, March 1

Flight operations of Emirates from Chennai International Airport were disrupted following escalating tensions and reported conflict in parts of the Gulf region.

According to airport sources, several Emirates flights scheduled to depart from Chennai were cancelled as a precautionary measure due to airspace restrictions and safety concerns. The cancellations have affected passengers bound for international destinations, including Dubai and Mid East countries.

Passengers were seen waiting at the airport terminals seeking clarification on rescheduling options. Many expressed concern over missed connections to European and other international cities via Dubai, a major transit hub for long-haul flights.

Airport authorities have advised travellers to stay in touch with the airline for further updates regarding revised schedules and alternative arrangements. Emirates is expected to issue an official statement regarding the duration of the suspension and passenger assistance measures.

Meanwhile, officials at Chennai International Airport are coordinating with airline representatives to manage the situation and assist affected passengers.

Further updates are awaited as the situation in the Gulf region continues to evolve.

On Saturday, as many as 13 flights have been cancelled from Bengaluru and Kolkata, amid the escalating US-Israel conflict with Iran that has disrupted air connectivity to and from the Middle East, severely impacting operations at Kolkata and Bengaluru airports.

At Kolkata airport, four outbound international flights were cancelled without prior notice to several passengers. The affected services included Emirates flight EK 573 to Dubai, Qatar Airways flight QR 541 to Doha, Air Arabia flight 3L 167 to Abu Dhabi, and one Etihad Airways flight EY 221 to Abu Dhabi.

Passengers who arrived at the airport were informed of the cancellations on-site, leadin got distress and inconvenience. Several foreign nationals were also among those affected.

In Bengaluru, nine arrivals from Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Riyadh, Jeddah and Dubai were cancelled at the Kempegowda International Airport. Flights operated by IndiGo, Air India Express and Emirates were among those impacted.

The cancelled flights at Bengaluru airport include, Air India Express flight IX 866 from Abu Dhabi, another Air India Express flight IX 864 from Dammam, IndiGo flight 6E 54 from Riyadh, IndiGo flight 6E 78 from Jeddah, IndiGo flight 6E 1486 from Dubai, IndiGo flight 6E 1409 from Abu Dhabi, IndiGo flight 6E 1302 from Doha, Emirates flight EK 568 from Dubai, and Emirates flight EK 566 from Dubai.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Gulf tensions affecting flights again. This shows how interconnected our world is. So many Indians work in the Middle East and use Dubai as a transit point. Hope the situation de-escalates soon for everyone's sake.
A
Aman W
While safety is paramount, informing passengers at the airport is not acceptable. They should have sent SMS/email alerts as soon as the decision was made. This lack of proactive communication from airlines is a recurring issue in India.
S
Sarah B
I was at Kolkata airport when this happened. The scene was really chaotic. Many elderly passengers and families with small children were completely lost. Airport staff tried their best, but the system clearly wasn't prepared for mass cancellations.
V
Vikram M
This is why we need to develop more direct flight options from Indian metros to Europe and North America, reducing dependency on Gulf hubs. Air India and others should see this as an opportunity. Jai Hind!
K
Kriti O
Feel so bad for the foreign nationals stuck here too. Imagine being in a strange country and your flight gets cancelled without notice. Hope the embassies are stepping in to help. 🙏

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