Bengaluru: Flight operations at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) witnessed significant disruption over the weekend, with 19 international services cancelled between Saturday and Sunday. According to sources at the airport, the cancellations largely affected routes connecting Bengaluru with key West Asia destinations, particularly Dubai and Abu Dhabi, impacting hundreds of passengers travelling to and from the Gulf.According to an internal status sheet reviewed by TOI, 10 outbound flights from Bengaluru were cancelled, along with nine inbound ones. The affected sectors included Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Doha, Jeddah, Riyadh and Dammam. A majority of the cancelled services were operated by IndiGo, followed by Air India Express and Emirates, while one Etihad departure was also impacted.
Airport officials indicated that UAE routes bore the brunt of the disruption, accounting for more than half of the total cancellations because of airspace restrictions across the region. “This level of cancellation concentrated on Gulf sectors is not routine. It appears to be linked to airspace restrictions and operational adjustments rather than any weather-related events,” an airport operations source said on the condition of anonymity.The disruption spanned late-evening departures Saturday and early-morning arrivals and departures Sunday, suggesting a cascading impact on aircraft rotations. A ground-handling executive at the airport explained that international operations are tightly sequenced. “When an incoming aircraft is delayed or cancelled at origin, the outbound leg from Bengaluru is immediately affected. That ripple effect can continue into the next operational cycle,” the source said.Passengers at the airport reported confusion and last-minute schedule changes, with some learning of cancellations after arriving at the terminal. Airline officials confirmed rebooking arrangements and alternative options were provided. “Passengers are being accommodated on the next available services or offered refunds as per policy,” an airline representative said. Officials maintained that overall airport operations remained normal and that the disruption was confined to specific international sectors. A dedicated passenger help desk has been set up at the kerbside (Level 3) of T2 to assist travellers.
