Gulf Airspace Disruption: Indian Passengers Return Home

Indian passengers stranded in the United Arab Emirates have begun returning home after partial reopening of Gulf airspace, following missile and drone activity linked to the escalating West Asia conflict.

Travellers arriving at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru described days of uncertainty and fear in Abu Dhabi, as sudden airspace closures disrupted flights and left thousands waiting for clearance to depart.

Panic at Abu Dhabi airport

Several passengers said the situation changed abruptly at Abu Dhabi International Airport when security alerts were issued amid reports of missile threats.

Saurabh Shetty, an Indian national from Mangaluru working in Abu Dhabi, said he was at the check-in area when alarms sounded. “We were asked to sit down and avoid the windows because of a missile threat,” he said. “When you see a missile in front of you, you feel it may hit you any moment.”

He described the experience as deeply distressing, adding that from his hotel room he could see aerial interceptions in the sky. “We survived and returned home. If one missile had hit, we would not be here,” he said, expressing gratitude to authorities for ensuring their safety.

Other passengers reported hearing explosions and feeling vibrations during the period of heightened tension. Some said debris had reportedly fallen near airport areas, though airport operations were managed under strict supervision.

Airspace closures and limited flights

The disruption followed missile and drone activity across parts of the Gulf region, prompting temporary closures of sections of airspace managed by the United Arab Emirates General Civil Aviation Authority. Authorities partially reopened the United Arab Emirates Flight Information Region, allowing limited operations under military oversight.

According to airline officials cited by Indian media, only a restricted number of flights were permitted to operate each day, primarily between early morning and late afternoon. These were special services rather than regular commercial schedules.

An Air India flight brought back 149 stranded passengers from Dubai to New Delhi after receiving military clearance, making it the first Indian carrier to resume operations amid the crisis. The airline has since operated additional case-by-case services from Sharjah and Abu Dhabi, a senior company source said.

Air India Express resumed full operations to and from Muscat, in Oman, where airspace has remained largely unaffected. Flights to parts of Saudi Arabia were also rerouted, entering through the Jeddah Flight Information Region after bypassing restricted zones.

However, services to and from Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar remained suspended for much of the day due to ongoing airspace restrictions, airline sources said.

Airline and government response

Passengers praised airlines and authorities for arranging temporary accommodation and transport during the disruption.

Mahesh, who was travelling from Boston via Abu Dhabi, said his airline arranged hotel stays and meals while waiting for flights to resume. “The service was great. They provided us a good hotel and arranged food,” he said.

Niruban, travelling to Coimbatore in southern India, said transport to hotels was arranged within hours of the disruption. “The authorities took very good care of us and ensured everyone’s safety,” he said.

Another passenger, Ramya from Bengaluru, said her return flight was initially cancelled but later rescheduled. “As a precautionary measure, they had closed the airspace,” she said, adding that the situation appeared calmer when she departed.

Officials from the Indian and United Arab Emirates governments coordinated to assist stranded travellers, according to passengers. Some expressed relief at being reunited with their families after several days of uncertainty.

Routes through Oman and Saudi Arabia

The reopening of the Omani airspace and the Jeddah Flight Information Region in western Saudi Arabia has allowed airlines to reroute aircraft while avoiding restricted zones.

According to airline sources, flights from India’s southern states can enter Muscat airspace directly after crossing the Arabian Sea. Similarly, services to Saudi Arabia have been diverted to avoid United Arab Emirates airspace.

Kerala state in southern India received more than a dozen flights carrying stranded passengers from various Gulf locations. SpiceJet announced special services from Fujairah to Indian cities, including Kochi.

Calicut International Airport operated multiple flights to Muscat and Riyadh, while an Oman Air service between Muscat and Thiruvananthapuram ran as scheduled.

Uncertain outlook

Airline sources said that while partial reopening has eased immediate pressure, full restoration of commercial schedules remains uncertain due to continuing tensions in West Asia.

Industry officials noted that airlines require formal approval from aviation and military authorities before resuming operations in sensitive airspace. Operating without clearance could invalidate insurance coverage in the event of an incident, they said.

For many returning passengers, the experience has left a lasting impression.

Girimalappa Kerur, who had been travelling onward to Paris before cancelling his trip, said he was relieved to be back in Bengaluru. “We could hear explosions, and we were told missiles were intercepted,” he said. “I’m relieved to be home.”

As regional tensions continue, aviation authorities are closely monitoring developments to determine when normal flight operations across Gulf airspace can fully resume.