Dubai-bound Emirates returns to Bengaluru, 42 flights cancelled on March 3

An Emirates flight EK 569 from Bengaluru to Dubai, which departed at 4.30 a.m. on March 3 from Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) with 56 passengers on board, returned to KIA due to closure of airspace in West Asia.

“Flight No. EK 569 to Dubai, which departed at 4.30 a.m. with 56 passengers on board, has been cancelled, and has returned due to closure of airspace,” airport officials told The Hindu

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Earlier on March 2, the Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) had stated that Emirates will operate an A388 aircraft from Dubai to Bengaluru, and that it will return back to the UAE.

“Emirates to operate A388 tomorrow early morning EK 568/569 SIBT 0240 SOBT 0430 departure restricted only up to DXB only for UAE nationals and resident permit holders,” BIAL had announced.

While flight EK 568 landed in Bengaluru, flight EK 569 bound for Dubai took off from KIA at 4.30 a.m., but returned back.

Flight operations from the West Asia region to Bengaluru, which were suspended since February 28 in light of the ongoing escalation of tension in the region, resumed on March 2 night with an Etihad flight from Abu Dhabi landing at the KIA.

42 flights cancelled

Due to airspace restriction in West Asia, 42 flights have been cancelled at KIA on March 3 until 3 p.m.

Airport officials said 21 arrivals and 2 departures have been cancelled. The key sectors affected are: Abu Dhabi and Dubai (UAE), Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam (Saudi Arabia), and Doha (Qatar).