The shadow of Middle East unrest looms large over India’s skies, with Kolkata’s main international hub canceling multiple flights on Friday. Sparked by Iran-Israel-US hostilities, the suspensions highlight aviation’s vulnerability to regional flashpoints.
Between late evening March 6 and morning March 7, 2026, operations to key Gulf destinations halted. Airlines cited safety protocols, prioritizing lives over schedules in a volatile airspace.
Key impacts: Air Arabia’s Kolkata-Abu Dhabi service (3L-0167) scrapped. Etihad’s bidirectional Abu Dhabi flights (EY-0220 and EY-0221) followed suit. Qatar Airways pulled QR-0540 from Doha and QR-0541 to Doha. Emirates nixed EK-0571 to Dubai and EK-0570 inbound, making seven flights in total.
Airport advisories stress checking flight apps or calling carriers, especially for Middle East-bound itineraries. This isn’t just a Kolkata issue—similar ripples are felt nationwide, as carriers reroute and refund amid diplomatic deadlock.
Passengers shared frustration online, with stranded plans unraveling family reunions and business deals. Analysts predict extended halts if tensions don’t ease, urging flexibility in travel amid global interconnected risks.