Middle-East tensions: Mass flight cancellations at Kozhikode airport
Affected passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for rebooking or refund assistance.
Affected passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for rebooking or refund assistance.
Affected passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for rebooking or refund assistance.
Escalating regional tensions in Saudi Arabia's Riyadh sector have severely disrupted international air travel from Kerala, forcing the cancellation of 22 flights today (October 16) at Kozhikode International Airport in Karipur. The sudden grounding of services has left hundreds of Gulf-bound expatriates and returning passengers stranded, causing widespread confusion and travel chaos across the region. So far, no cancellations have been reported today from the Thiruvananthapuram International Airport (TIAL). Four flights (2 Akasa, 1 Air India Express and 1 Flynas flights) have also been cancelled from the Cochin Airport.
Massive disruption to Gulf flight operations
Airport authorities confirmed that a total of 12 incoming flights from various Gulf nations and 10 outbound services from Karipur were called off today. Key carriers including Air India Express, IndiGo, Saudia, Flynas, Air Arabia, and Akasa Air have suspended several scheduled journeys connecting Kerala with major Middle Eastern destinations such as Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Bahrain, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Cancelled inbound flights to Karipur
The grounded arrival services include Air Arabia’s flight from Ras Al Khaimah (2.50 am), IndiGo services from Dammam (6.25 am) and Jeddah (2.05 pm), alongside Air India Express arrivals from Ras Al Khaimah (6.55 am), Riyadh (7.35 am), Bahrain (9.15 am), Dammam (6.35 pm), and Al Ain (7.00 pm). Additionally, Flynas flights from Riyadh scheduled for 8.20 am and 3.15 pm, Saudia’s morning flight from Riyadh at 8.55 am, and Akasa Air’s service from Jeddah at 5.40 pm were all called off.
Cancelled outbound flights from Kozhikode
Outbound passengers faced equal disruption as Air Arabia’s 3.30 am flight to Ras Al Khaimah was cancelled, followed by Air India Express services to Dammam (8.35 am), Al Ain (10 am), Riyadh (8.15 pm), and Bahrain (11.05 pm). Flynas cancelled its Riyadh departures scheduled for 9:10 am and 4.05 pm, while Saudia’s 9.55 am flight to Riyadh, Akasa Air’s 6.45 pm service to Jeddah, and IndiGo’s 6.50 pm departure to Jeddah were also grounded. Affected passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for rebooking or refund assistance.