Daijiworld Media Network – Mangaluru

Mangaluru, Apr 16: Flight operations to several Gulf nations continue to remain disrupted, leaving hundreds of travellers from the coastal region in a state of uncertainty.

The ongoing geopolitical tensions involving Iran, Israel, and the United States have led to significant irregularities in flight schedules at Mangaluru International Airport (MIA).

While Air India Express has been operating flights between Mangaluru-Dubai and Mangaluru-Abu Dhabi over the past few days, those travelling to or from Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and Qatar continue to face hardships.

Representational image

Many passengers are currently forced to travel via Mumbai, with several reporting that airfares have nearly doubled due to the surge in demand and limited connectivity.

Suspension of Saudi transit visas

Following the closure of Kuwait International Airport, many Indian expatriates were traveling by bus from Kuwait to Dammam in Saudi Arabia via a transit visa to catch flights to Mangaluru. However, this transit visa facility has been suspended effective April 15.

The Indian Embassy in Kuwait has announced that it will no longer accept or process requests for Saudi transit visas under the previous arrangement until further notice. This decision is reportedly linked to the upcoming Haj pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia and the current security climate.

Indian citizens planning to travel via Saudi Arabia have been advised to directly contact their respective airlines to obtain the latest information on immigration rules, transit processes, and visa formalities before making travel arrangements.

Current flight status

On Thursday, April 16, Air India Express is scheduled to operate flights on the Mangaluru-Dubai and Mangaluru-Abu Dhabi sectors. However, uncertainty prevails over other major Gulf destinations, leaving the expatriate community waiting for a full restoration of services.