West Asia Conflict Disrupts Easter Travel for Karnataka's Gulf Expatriates
The escalating conflict in West Asia has severely disrupted Easter home travel plans for expatriates from Karnataka's coastal districts, including Dakshina Kannada, Udupi, and Uttara Kannada, who are employed in the Arabian Gulf region and Israel. Many are now forced to remain abroad during one of the busiest homecoming periods of the year, drawing eerie parallels to the movement restrictions experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Flight Disruptions and Security Concerns
Airspace closures, changes in flight routes, and growing security concerns across West Asia have upended traditional travel arrangements. Neha D'Souza, who has been working in the UAE for the past 13 years, highlighted that the crisis has compelled numerous individuals like her to stay back in the UAE. "Also, due to the ongoing situation, the Holy Week prayer services have been moved online," she stated, underscoring the broader impact on religious observances.
Elston D'Cruz, another expatriate based in the UAE, noted that many have opted against traveling due to uncertainty and the scarcity of direct flights to Mangaluru. "It is better to avoid travel in these situations, unless there is an emergency," he advised. While the situation in Dubai has remained calm, Catholic churches in areas such as Oud Metha and Jebel Ali were temporarily closed from Good Friday onwards under government directives, with masses and services conducted online.
Impact Across the Region
In Bahrain, expatriates reported similar difficulties. Vincent Sequeira, with 23 years of work experience there, mentioned that many have decided to celebrate Easter locally because regular flights to their hometowns were unavailable. For those working in Israel, prayers in Jerusalem are being held with limited gatherings, while services in locations like Tel Aviv-Yafo have been suspended entirely.
Despite exorbitant air ticket prices, some travelers are attempting to reach home via alternative routes, such as flying through Jordan. Travel agents and community members revealed that several expatriates who had booked tickets weeks in advance are now stranded, as numerous airlines have either cancelled or rerouted flights.
Scaling Down Celebrations and Postponements
Families who had prepared to welcome relatives for Easter have been forced to scale down their celebrations significantly. The fallout extends to weddings and other family functions scheduled for April and May. Primus D'Souza, a caterer, explained that the uncertainty has led to multiple postponements. "Due to the ongoing crisis, all scheduled functions have been pushed back to September and beyond," he said.
A parish priest in Mangaluru confirmed that several church-linked events and family gatherings have either been cancelled or deferred, highlighting the widespread disruption to community life and traditions.
