Airlines Remain Cautious Amid Houthi Attacks, Gulf Flights Still Canceled
Rising tensions in the Middle East lead to continued flight cancellations by airlines serving Gulf countries.
New Delhi, October 20 (Daily Kiran) : Tensions in the Middle East are escalating, particularly due to missile and drone attacks from Houthi rebels. As a result, airlines are still adjusting their operations for flights to Gulf countries. While operations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport resumed last weekend, many flights are still being canceled for safety reasons.
This situation is particularly affecting Indian travelers heading to Gulf and Western nations. Several airlines have reduced their flights due to security concerns, disrupting travel plans for numerous passengers.
The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has extended its warning regarding flights in the airspace surrounding the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar until November 16. The agency indicated that there remains a risk to civilian aircraft at all altitudes due to the potential use of missiles, drones, fighter jets, and air defense systems. Consequently, many international airlines have temporarily halted services to the affected countries or altered flight paths to avoid sensitive airspaces in Iran, Iraq, Israel, and the Gulf region.
Air India and Air India Express have suspended flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, and Dammam until October 24. Passengers are advised to check the latest advisories from the airline for information on refunds and rebooking options.
The Tata Group airlines have stated that they are closely monitoring the situation and will decide on resuming flights once conditions normalize. Similarly, IndiGo has canceled flights to Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, and Medina until October 24, urging passengers to verify their flight status before heading to the airport.
Additionally, Akasa Air has postponed flights to Riyadh until October 24 and to Jeddah until October 21. Affected travelers are encouraged to check for the latest flight information and available options.
