
Kolkata, 02 March (H.S.) : The escalating military tensions in West Asia have directly impacted air travel, with several flights from Kolkata’s Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, Dumdum, to various West Asian destinations cancelled on Monday. A total of 20 flights operated by five airlines were affected, causing significant inconvenience to passengers.
The cancellations include eight flights by Emirates, four by Qatar Airways, four by Etihad Airways, two by Air Arabia, and two by Fly Dubai. Passengers travelling to destinations such as Dubai, Doha, and Abu Dhabi have been particularly impacted.
Major West Asian airports, especially hubs like Dubai, serve as key transit points for international travel. A large number of passengers from India use these hubs en route to Europe and the United States. Regular direct flights operate from Kolkata to these centres, but services have been disrupted due to the current tense situation.
The disruptions are not limited to Kolkata alone. Flights from Delhi, Bengaluru, and Chennai to West Asia have also been temporarily suspended. Authorities have indicated that air services to several major cities in the region may remain affected until tensions ease.
As a result, passengers travelling from India are facing difficulties reaching their destinations, while Indian citizens stranded in West Asia are concerned about visas and return travel. The issue was discussed in a meeting of the government’s security committee, focusing on measures to ensure the safe repatriation of Indian nationals abroad.
The Ministry of External Affairs assured that Indian citizens in West Asia need not worry, stating that the government is taking all possible steps to extend visa validity and provide necessary arrangements for their stay in India if required.
Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh