Kolkata Airport Paralyzed as 14 International Flights Cancelled
Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport descended into chaos as fourteen international flights were abruptly cancelled, leaving close to 4,000 passengers stranded both in Kolkata and across various Middle Eastern destinations. This massive aviation disruption has severely impacted travel connectivity between India and key international hubs in the Middle East, Europe, and the United States.
Geopolitical Tensions Trigger Widespread Aviation Disruption
The flight cancellations come amid escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East region, with recent attacks and counter-attacks creating an unstable security environment. Airport authorities confirmed multiple service cancellations affecting major carriers including Air Arabia, Etihad Airways, Emirates, Qatar Airways, and Flydubai.
The cancelled services included:
- One Air Arabia flight to Abu Dhabi
- Two Etihad flights to Abu Dhabi
- Two Emirates flights to Dubai
- One Qatar Airways flight to Doha
- One Flydubai service
Passenger Plight: Stranded and Desperate
The disruption has created a humanitarian crisis for travelers, with hundreds of passengers who arrived from Patna, Ranchi, and Guwahati specifically to board international flights now forced to return home empty-handed. Social media platforms have become flooded with desperate pleas from stranded passengers seeking assistance and alternative arrangements.
Tushar Kanti Kumar urgently appealed on social media: "With Middle East in turmoil, Kolkata airport loses several daily direct flights to the west onwards to Europe and beyond. Request please arrange Air India and IndiGo flights to help thousands of passengers ex-Kolkata or incoming. Very urgent."
Amitanshu Maiti directly tagged Emirates on platform X, stating: "I am travelling from Kolkata to Dubai and the flight is cancelled, and I am stuck at Kolkata airport for the last 5 hours. Please provide me with alternate flight options and accommodation."
Arriving Passengers Face Greater Hardship
Flyers arriving in Kolkata have been hit particularly hard by the disruptions. One newlywed couple shared their distressing experience of having their honeymoon celebrations in London turn into a nightmare of anxiety. Scheduled to return to Kolkata on March 1, they found themselves unable to travel due to the closure of Dubai airport, with their visas nearing expiration and no clear resolution in sight.
Industry Leaders Call for Government Intervention
Anjani Dhanuka, Chairman of the Travel Agents Association of India (East) and Director of Aircom Travels, has issued a strong appeal to government authorities. He emphasized the need for proactive evacuation efforts rather than mere service cancellations, urging the government to prioritize arranging special flights and ensuring the safe return of Indian citizens stranded abroad.
Dhanuka stated: "The government must move beyond cancellation notifications and implement concrete evacuation plans. Special flights need to be arranged immediately, and the safe return of our citizens should be the highest priority in this crisis situation."
The aviation disruption at Kolkata airport represents one of the most significant travel crises in recent memory, highlighting how geopolitical tensions can create immediate and severe consequences for international travel and passenger welfare. As the situation continues to evolve, thousands remain uncertain about when they will be able to resume their journeys or return home safely.
