The Smart Marty Sky Dispatch
Middle-East tensions: Mass flight cancellations at Kozhikode airport
Affected passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines for rebooking or refund assistance.
Mass flight cancellations hit Kozhikode International Airport in Karipur on October 16 amid rising regional tensions in the Riyadh sector, according to Onmanorama. The disruption affected a large number of Gulf-bound expatriates and returnees, with hundreds reportedly stranded as services were grounded.
Authorities confirmed that 22 flights were cancelled at Karipur on the day, comprising 12 incoming flights from Gulf nations and 10 outbound services. Several major carriers suspended schedules, including Air India Express, IndiGo, Saudia, Flynas, Air Arabia, and Akasa Air, impacting connections between Kerala and Middle Eastern destinations such as Riyadh, Dammam, Jeddah, Bahrain, Al Ain, and Ras Al Khaimah.
Specific inbound cancellations at Karipur included flights from Ras Al Khaimah, Dammam, Jeddah, Riyadh, Bahrain, and Al Ain operated by Air Arabia, IndiGo, Air India Express, Flynas, Saudia, and Akasa Air. The timing details for several of these grounded arrivals were listed for the day, but no individual causes beyond the broader regional tensions were provided.
Outbound services affected from Kozhikode included flights to Ras Al Khaimah, Dammam, Al Ain, Riyadh, Bahrain, and Jeddah operated by Air Arabia, Air India Express, Flynas, Saudia, Akasa Air, and IndiGo. As with inbound services, the notices indicated specific scheduled times but did not include further context about causes beyond the regional tensions.
Passengers were advised to contact their respective airlines for rebooking or refunds. The report did not specify casualty figures, injuries, aircraft types, dates beyond October 16, or precise locations beyond Kozhikode (Karipur) and referenced Gulf destinations.