With Gulf routes suspended and rebookings pushed to next week, travellers at Mumbai’s international airport faced financial strain, uncertainty, and long waits as regional tensions reshaped air travel
Flight status boards at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport show multiple Middle East-bound departures cancelled amid regional airspace restrictions. Pic/Sarthak Mehta
Mumbai’s international airport turned into a sea of cancellations on Sunday as most of the departing flights were scrapped amid West Asia airspace restrictions, leaving migrant workers, tourists and families stranded at terminals or turned away at entry gates while airlines suspended routes and pushed rebookings into next week.
With flights grounded across key Gulf destinations, travellers faced a mix of uncertainty, financial strain and safety worries as airlines pointed to government directives and evolving regional tensions behind the disruption.
What passengers said
Passengers stranded at Mumbai airport after several Gulf-bound flights were cancelled due to ongoing West Asia tensions. Pic/PTI
A skilled welder bound for Saudi Arabia
“I have paid an agent Rs 60,000 for this job. I can’t afford to wait long. I am lost.”
A foreign traveller flying to Frankfurt
“My flight was cancelled, and I’ve been rebooked for March 7. I am stranded alone.”
Another passenger bound for Qatar said
“We came because our employer asked us to check in person, but we weren’t allowed inside. The earliest ticket is March 7.”
Passengers also complained of high airport prices
“We can’t even afford water here. It costs Rs 120 for a litre.”
A couple flying to Kuwait were adjusting plans
“Our flight may be cancelled, so we’ve decided to explore India meanwhile.”
Airport snapshot: Sunday chaos
>> Mulitple flights cancelled at CSMIA departures
>> Multiple airlines affected: Air India, IndiGo, Etihad, Akasa, Emirates, Qatar Airways
>> Routes hit hardest: Gulf and Middle East sectors
Who got stranded
>> Migrant workers heading for jobs in Gulf countries
>> Foreign tourists returning home
>> NRIs travelling back to families
>> Business travellers stuck mid-itinerary
Airport control measures
A CISF official said: “We received the cancellation list and are not allowing passengers of those flights inside the terminal.”
Airline actions
Air India
All flights to and through Middle East are suspended
IndiGo
>> 200+ flights cancelled till March 3
>> Dynamic cancellation list online
IndiGo spokesperson said: “These cancellations follow government instructions on restricted airspaces. We are offering full refunds on cancellation.”
NRI concerns
Vrinda Malik, a Dubai resident stuck in Mumbai, said
“I was to fly back to my family tomorrow, but I now hold cancelled tickets for multiple days. I’m worried, though I trust authorities will ensure safety.”
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