Flights from Dubai resume to India amid Iran conflict disruptions
Mumbai, March 3
An Emirates flight from Dubai to Mumbai landed safely at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Tuesday as flight operations gradually resumed following disruptions triggered by the escalating West Asian conflict.
Emirates flight EK 500 arrived in Mumbai amid tight coordination between airport authorities and airline officials, bringing relief to stranded passengers who had faced uncertainty over the past few days due to widespread cancellations and delays.
Ajay, a passenger on board the flight, recounted the tense situation in Dubai. Speaking to ANI, he said, "We had a flight to the USA from Dubai. When it didn't take off, we thought there might be some issues with the flight. After 7-8 hours, we were told that a war had broken out," he said.
He added that the airline arranged accommodation for stranded travellers. "Buses from Emirates came and took all the passengers to the hotels. As soon as we came to know that the flight to Mumbai would leave, we immediately contacted them and came here. Slowly, the situation is getting controlled there," Ajay said.
In a similar development, the first flight from Abu Dhabi landed at the Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru on Monday night, bringing back passengers affected by the disruption in air travel services.
A traveller who had been stranded in Abu Dhabi praised the arrangements made by Etihad Airways. Speaking to ANI, the passenger said, "Once we got stuck in the Abu Dhabi airport, Etihad Airways took good care of us. They booked the hotels for all the passengers whose flights were cancelled."
Meanwhile, another Emirates flight from Dubai to Bengaluru departed on Monday night, as operations at Dubai airports began to partially resume.
Dubai Airports confirmed that a limited resumption of operations would begin on the evening of March 2 (Monday), with a small number of flights permitted to operate from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
With flights gradually taking to the skies once again, normalcy is slowly returning to the UAE, and for the thousands of Indians eager to get home, the wait is finally coming to an end.
Following the US-Israel strikes against Iran on February 28, Iran launched a wave of retaliatory attacks, using drones and missiles targeting multiple Arab countries in the region as a retaliatory action, which resulted in flight cancellations.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good to see flights resuming. Dubai is like a second home for so many Indian workers and professionals. This conflict is really disrupting lives and the economy. Our government should have contingency plans for evacuations if things escalate further.
While it's positive that operations are restarting, the article glosses over the initial panic and lack of clear communication. My friend was there and said information was very scarce for the first 24 hours. Airlines and airports need better crisis protocols.
Heart goes out to all the passengers, especially the elderly and those with kids. Can't imagine being stuck in an airport abroad with news of war breaking out. Shoutout to the ground staff and officials coordinating this. Jai Hind!
This is why we need to strengthen our own aviation hubs and direct connectivity. So much of our international travel depends on transit through the Gulf. Geopolitical tensions there directly impact millions of Indians.
Thank God! My father was on one of those flights to Bengaluru. The family was so worried. He just landed and called. He said Etihad staff were very helpful. Feeling so grateful he's home safe. 🙌
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