Delhi Families Reunite for Holi as Passengers Return from Tense West Asia
For numerous families in Delhi, the festivals of Holi and Eid have transformed into occasions of heartfelt reunion and profound relief. After days filled with anxious calls to relatives in West Asia, where escalating tensions had sparked widespread concern, loved ones are finally coming together. The situation, described by returnees as tense yet not overtly dangerous, allowed normal functions to continue, but it was the families in India, glued to news updates, who bore the brunt of worry.
Emotional Arrivals at IGI Airport
At Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, a steady trickle of passengers from destinations like Dubai, Oman, and Abu Dhabi began arriving on Tuesday as flights gradually resumed operations. The atmosphere was charged with emotion, with many expressing immense relief at being back on Indian soil. "There is nothing safer than our motherland India," echoed several returnees, highlighting their joy at returning in time to celebrate Holi with their families.
Among those waiting eagerly outside the arrival gates was Anshika, a 30-year-old resident of Gurgaon. She had been anxiously anticipating the return of her husband, who had been stranded in Dubai while en route to London. The couple, who tied the knot on February 14 this year, faced an unexpected separation when her husband departed on February 28. As tensions escalated, he made swift arrangements to return, traveling to Oman before catching a flight to Delhi.
"This is our first Holi together as a married couple. I could not have asked for anything more than having my husband back home safely," Anshika shared with a smile. She recounted the constant worry, noting, "Every hour he would tell us that alarms were going on and security announcements were being made." Holding her husband's hand, she added, "For us, this Holi is not just about colours. It is about being together and being safe."
Airport Operations and Passenger Support
Operations at Delhi Airport were significantly impacted for the fourth consecutive day due to airspace closures in the region. On Tuesday, at least 80 flights to and from Delhi were cancelled—36 departures and 44 arrivals—while over 200 flights experienced delays, including domestic services. This followed cancellations of 104 flights on Sunday and 87 on Monday, underscoring the widespread disruption.
To manage the influx and assist affected travellers, authorities implemented several measures:
- More than 300 Gratis Temporary Entry Permits were issued by the Bureau of Immigration in recent days, allowing stranded international passengers to exit the airport smoothly.
- Two additional information desks were set up in the international security holding area and departure forecourt to provide guidance and support.
- Quick Reaction Teams were deployed across key areas, including check-in halls, boarding gates, and arrival zones, to ensure efficient handling of the situation.
Personal Accounts of Tension and Relief
Akash Saxena, a real estate businessman from Saket, described his experience traveling from Dubai to Oman as tense but not chaotic. "It was scary when we heard the sounds, but otherwise operations were functioning," he said. He noted that while daily life was not severely disrupted, the moment he heard a missile being intercepted was particularly unsettling. "I was on a call with my mother at 8 in the morning when I heard the noise and later saw visuals of a missile being intercepted. That was the first time I felt scared," he recalled. Despite this, he praised the government's support, stating, "Things were under control. Still, coming home is better for safety."
Deepa, a resident of Noida who had traveled to Dubai for tourism, shared similar sentiments. "People were a little scared, and our families in India were worried. We were not sure if our flight would take off or if we would reach home safely. But things were operational," she explained. Now back in Delhi, she expressed relief, adding, "Now that we are back, we feel relieved."
Sixty-five-year-old Nita, who had been in Abu Dhabi with her daughter, decided to cut their stay short after sensing unease. "We were in Abu Dhabi at a hotel on the 28th when the situation became tense, so we decided to check out and move to a relative's place. It felt much safer there, as proper arrangements had been made in the basement parking area for safety in case of any emergency. That gave us some comfort," she said.
As families reunite and celebrations begin, the overarching theme is one of gratitude and safety, turning festive occasions into moments of cherished togetherness amid global uncertainties.
