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Mumbai Airport Strands Passengers as West Asia Conflict Cancels Flights

Hundreds of passengers have been left stranded at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after 107 flight movements were cancelled due to airspace restrictions stemming from the West Asia conflict. Travelers, including those bound for Umrah and Dubai, reported sleeping on floors and facing a lack of basic facilities as their flights were rescheduled or cancelled. The disruptions have extended to other major Indian airports in Kolkata and Delhi, prompting the Civil Aviation Ministry to establish a 24x7 assistance control room. In response, travel agencies are operating special charter flights from the UAE to repatriate Indians affected by the regional tensions.

Key Points: Flights Cancelled at Mumbai Airport Amid West Asia Conflict

  • 107 flights cancelled at Mumbai airport
  • Passengers stranded for days
  • Ministry sets up 24x7 control room
  • Flights impacted in Kolkata & Delhi
  • Charter flights arranged for repatriation
3 min read

Passengers stranded at Mumbai airport as flights cancelled

Passengers stranded at Mumbai airport as 107 flights cancelled due to Middle East airspace restrictions. Ministry sets up 24x7 control room.

"I am sleeping on the floor. We need a place to sleep, to stay and to eat. - Stranded passenger"

Mumbai, March 3

Passengers were stranded at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Tuesday as several flights were cancelled following the West Asia conflict. The Ministry of Civil Aviation has set up a 24x7 Passenger Assistance Control Room to review preparedness in view of the evolving airspace restrictions over Iran and parts of the Middle East.

A stranded passenger told ANI that his family was going for Umrah and had a flight on March 1, which was rescheduled due to the situation in the Middle East.

"My family and I were going for Umrah and had a flight on March 1st, which was rescheduled due to the situation in the Middle East. It is now scheduled for this evening," the passenger said.

Another passenger who came from Chapra to Mumbai said his Dubai flight was cancelled at night, "I came from Chapra to Mumbai. I had a flight to Dubai and at night I came to know that the flight is cancelled. There is no facility at the airport, I am sleeping on the floor. We need a place to sleep, to stay and to eat."

A third passenger said they have been at the airport for three days after their flight was cancelled.

"We have been here for three days, our flight was cancelled. Today we have a flight at 6 PM for Umrah," the passenger said.

According to sources, a total of 107 air traffic movements (ATMs) were cancelled at Mumbai Airport on March 3, including 54 arrivals and 53 departures.

Flight operations have also been impacted at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata due to the prevailing war situation.

According to Kolkata airport officials, Emirates has cancelled four arrivals and four departures scheduled for the day. Passengers have been advised to check with their respective airlines for updated flight information and further assistance. Authorities are closely monitoring the situation as developments continue.

Several westbound international flights from the IGI Airport were delayed as well. The Delhi Airport officials have urged the passengers to check the latest flight updates and consider alternate routes for travelling.

The flight disruptions come amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following military strikes by Israel and the United States on Iran, which have led to widespread airspace closures and flight cancellations across the region.

Meantime, Travel company EaseMyTrip on Tuesday announced that it is operating special charter flights from Fujairah, a city in the UAE, to Delhi and Mumbai to help Indians return home safely amid the prevailing war situation in parts of the West Asia.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
My heart goes out to the families trying to go for Umrah. It's such an important spiritual journey, and to have it disrupted like this is deeply upsetting. I hope the charter flights from EaseMyTrip can help bring some people home safely.
A
Arjun K
This is why we need stronger contingency plans. 107 flights cancelled in one day at Mumbai alone is massive. The government's advisory is fine, but what about compensation? Many of these passengers are migrant workers or pilgrims. They deserve better support.
P
Priyanka N
The passenger from Chapra... imagine coming all the way from Bihar only to find your Dubai flight cancelled. For many, these flights are a lifeline to their jobs. The airlines must provide clear, immediate communication and proper accommodation. This is basic customer service.
M
Michael C
While the situation is unfortunate, we must acknowledge that airspace closures due to conflict are beyond the direct control of Indian authorities. Safety has to come first. The charter flight initiative is a positive, proactive move by the travel industry.
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Kavya N
Three days at the airport! This is unacceptable. Our airports are world-class, but where is the crisis management? Other countries arrange hotels or temporary shelters during such mass cancellations. We can and should do the same. Jai Hind.

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