Kozhikode: The conflict between Israel and Iran has significantly disrupted air travel from Kerala to several West Asian destinations. Due to the closure of Iranian airspace, six flights between the Gulf region and Kannur were cancelled on Wednesday.
Similar issues were reported at airports in Kochi, Karipur, and Thiruvananthapuram, with flights to Dubai and Sharjah being the hardest hit.
Two flights each between Abu Dhabi and Thiruvananthapuram, and Sharjah and Kozhikode were cancelled on Tuesday. The disruptions intensified on Wednesday, as six flights from Kannur were grounded, TNIE reported.
Additionally, four flights each from Kozhikode, Kochi, and Thiruvananthapuram were cancelled. All the affected flights were operated by Air India and Air India Express on routes between Kerala and Dubai-Sharjah.
Several more flights between Kerala's four international airports and several GCC countries were delayed for hours. Authorities at Dubai International Airport had previously warned of major delays and cancellations due to airspace restrictions over Iran, Iraq, and Syria, advising travellers to check with airlines for the most recent updates.
However, the Airports Authority of India has not issued such a warning. Meanwhile, expatriate organisations such as the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) and Kerala Pravasi Sangham have expressed worry about a dramatic increase in ticket prices during the crisis. They said that passengers are compelled to pay high fares to travel to the Gulf countries.
KMCC state committee member Sainudheen Cheleri expressed concern over the number of Malayalis stranded both in Kerala and the Gulf region as a result of these disruptions. They indicated plans to organize protests against airlines for cancelling flights without informing passengers in advance.
Adding to the difficulties is the timing, as the disruptions coincide with the summer vacation period in the Gulf countries. Members of the Kerala Pravasi Sangham pointed out that airlines have significantly increased fares, a practice they claim disproportionately affects travellers from Kerala.
The fare hikes, which reportedly began this week amid the wave of cancellations, are expected to persist until mid-August. Flight companies have already increased their fares aiming at school vacations in Gulf countries.
They also noted that while these issues have been repeatedly brought to the attention of the Central government, no action has been taken so far, said Kerala Pravasi Sangham state committee member C V Iqbal.