Kozhikode: Passengers travelling from Kozhikode to Gulf countries are facing severe difficulties as tensions in West Asia continue to disrupt flight operations.
Most Indian airlines have cancelled services to and from Doha, Bahrain and Kuwait until September 2. Flights operating to Saudi Arabia are also frequently delayed and are not maintaining their scheduled timings. In many cases, only foreign airlines are operating services on time.
Unexpected flight cancellations and delays lasting several hours have left passengers stranded and uncertain. During the past two weeks alone, around 32 flights have either been cancelled or delayed.
Recently, more than 150 passengers were affected after a SpiceJet flight from Kozhikode to Dubai was cancelled without sufficient prior notice. The flight, scheduled to depart at 6:00 p.m., was cancelled only at around 10:00 p.m. The passengers were accommodated on another flight the following Friday.
Although a ceasefire is currently in place, sporadic attacks in the region continue to worsen the situation. Gulf airports are sometimes closed without warning, forcing scheduled flights to be delayed or cancelled.
Airlines are also reportedly cancelling services when there are not enough passengers. Most airlines operating from Calicut International Airport use aircraft with a seating capacity of around 180 passengers. Several airlines are reluctant to operate unless most or all seats are filled.
The situation is expected to become more difficult as the Onam season coincides with school holidays in Gulf countries. The shortage of flights and rising ticket prices are likely to place a heavy financial burden on expatriates.
Many Gulf-based expatriates may be unable to return home and celebrate Onam with their families due to limited flight availability, repeated cancellations and expensive airfares.
