International flights to and from Karnataka were disrupted on Sunday after escalating hostilities in West Asia led to the cancellation of 37 flights at Kempegowda International Airport, while around 150 students from Chikkaballapur area were stranded in Dubai.
According to Bangalore International Airport Limited, the cancellations included 18 arriving flights and 19 departing flights after airspace restrictions were linked to the Iran-Israel standoff. “Due to airspace restrictions on March 1, 18 arrival flights and 19 departure flights were cancelled,” a BIAL spokesperson said. The affected routes included Abu Dhabi, Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam, Dubai and Doha.
Dubai and Abu Dhabi are the busiest international destinations from Bengaluru, however, flight operations to Europe were largely normal, according to officials.
The impact was equally evident at Mangaluru International Airport, where more than eight flights were cancelled, diverted or suspended. Services linking Mangaluru to Dubai, Kuwait, Doha, Dammam and Abu Dhabi were among those affected.
In one case, an Air India Express flight took off from Mangaluru to Dubai (IX 831) but returned to the airport around 3pm. All 174 passengers and six crew members were disembarked safely. Another Air India Express service to Doha (IX 821) has been diverted to Mumbai. The IndiGo flight from Mangaluru to Dubai (6E 1467) has also been cancelled.
Authorities in Mangaluru said several flights coming from Bahrain, Doha, Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Dammam were canceled after Iran announced the closure of its airspace.
Travel disruptions have meant students and other residents are unable to return. Home Minister G Parameshwara said the government learned that around 150 students from Chikkaballapur district were in Dubai for vacation and other purposes. “We will try to reach out to them and see what we can do better in terms of helping them,” he said.
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said the state will operate a dedicated helpline to help stranded residents and their families. “In light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran, the Karnataka government takes with the utmost seriousness the safety and well-being of Kannadiga people residing in the Middle East, including Israel, UAE, Iran and Qatar. I have held consultations with the Resident Commissioner in New Delhi and have directed to take all necessary and proactive measures to protect our people,” he said.
“Given the suspension of air services in several countries in the region, we strongly advise those who are unable to return to India and are currently in conflict-affected areas to move to safer areas as soon as possible. I have instructed officials to operate a dedicated helpline to assist affected families. I urge family members not to panic if contact with their loved ones is temporarily cut off,” the Prime Minister added.
The Prime Minister said that around 32 people from Ballari were stranded in Dubai. He confirmed that JD(S) MLC SL Bhoje Gowda was safe in a hotel there and Ballari City MLA Nara Bharath Reddy was also in Dubai. He said that the state is in constant contact with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and will facilitate their return once flight services resume.
Separately, Siddaramaiah, speaking at Shivamogga Airport, criticized the US action against Iran and condemned reports of the killing of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He said: “The attack on Khamenei and the war on Iran were not necessary. On the one hand, US President Donald Trump is chanting the slogan of peace while also waging war. I condemn the double standards of the United States. The media is indicating that Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is dead, which deserves to be condemned. I pray that his soul may rest in peace.”
