Gulf flights from Calicut airport cancelled

All flight services from the Calicut International Airport to Arabian Gulf destinations were cancelled on Saturday afternoon following escalation of tension in the region due to US-Israel joint attack on Iran.

The flights of Air India Express, IndiGo, SpiceJet, and Oman Air were among those cancelled.

Hundreds of passengers preparing to fly to Gulf destinations were caught by surprise as the Gulf countries closed their air space following Iranian reprisal on American targets in the Gulf.

Airport sources said the flight cancellation to destinations like Kuwait, Dubai, Doha, Bahrain, and Riyadh was part of an overall decision to save passengers and airlines from getting involved in the tension.

Several incoming flights from West Asia were also delayed. They included Air India Express IX374 from Bahrain. Services from Dubai and Jeddah were also delayed.

Air India Express IX346 to Dubai, scheduled for 2.40 p.m., as well as IndiGo services to Dubai, Jeddah and Abu Dhabi were among those cancelled.

The Calicut International Airport handles 126 flights daily across 22 routes to eight countries. Saturday’s schedule listed only 22 departures and nine arrivals, with the Gulf routes bearing the brunt of cancellations.