Hyderabad: Air travel to and from the city was disrupted on Saturday after at least 21 arriving and 23 departing flights were cancelled in the wake of escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.Officials at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) confirmed that several international services, particularly those operating through Gulf airspace, were either cancelled or rescheduled as airlines reassessed flight paths due to safety concerns.Airlines operating routes to destinations such as Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Muscat, Kuwait, Sharjah, Median, Jeddah and other West Asian hubs were among the most affected. While some carriers opted to cancel services outright, a few flights have been delayed. Passengers were seen waiting at airport counters, seeking clarification on rescheduling and refunds.Airlines saw a surge in enquiries from passengers planning onward international connections through Gulf transit hubs. “I have a flight to Amsterdam via Dubai on March 4; is this flight suspended? What is the current situation?” said Nitin Agarwal while tagging Etihad Airways on X.“Hi @emiratessupport, I have a flight on Emirates from Hyderabad to New York via Dubai on March 3. Unable to contact your call centre or live chat. How can I reach you to explore my options?” posted P Satya, a flier.Rajiv Gandhi International Airport advised passengers to verify flight status directly with their respective airline prior to departure for the airport. In light of the evolving situation in the Gulf and associated airspace restrictions, certain international flights may be subject to disruptions, including delays, rescheduling, or changes in operating times, RGIA said.
