Kolkata, 02 March (H.S.): The escalating war-like situation between the US and Iran has had a direct impact on air services. Flights to various West Asian countries from Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport (Dumdum) remained cancelled on Monday. A total of 20 flights (both inbound and outbound) from five airlines were cancelled at Dumdum Airport.

The cancelled flights include eight flights from Emirates, four from Qatar Airways, four from Etihad Airways, two from Air Arabia, and two from Fly Dubai. These cancellations have caused significant inconvenience to passengers travelling to Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi.

Many major airports in West Asia, including Dubai, are major transit hubs for global air travel, serving as hubs for travel between India and Europe and the United States. Regular direct flights operate from Kolkata to these transit hubs, but the current instability has disrupted services.

Not only Dum Dum, but many flights to West Asia have also been cancelled from major airports like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai. Military tensions have escalated across West Asia following the US and Israeli attacks on Iran, leading to the temporary suspension of air services to several key cities, including Dubai.

In this situation, while many passengers from India are unable to reach their destinations, Indian citizens stranded in West Asia are also concerned about visas and security. The safe return of Indians stranded abroad was discussed at a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Security, which Narendra Modi attended upon his return to Delhi on Sunday night.

Meanwhile, foreign nationals stranded in India have been urged not to worry. On Sunday, India's Ministry of External Affairs stated that foreign nationals in India need not panic due to the recent tensions in West Asia. The Ministry assured that all possible assistance will be provided for visa extensions or temporary stay in India.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey