CHENNAI: Several flights from Chennai to Middle East destinations like Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha have been cancelled due to the sudden escalation of tension between Israel and Iran on Saturday. At least 15 departures from Chennai (six on Saturday and nine on Sunday), operated by different airlines, have been cancelled, leaving passengers stranded at the airport. Three flights that were to arrive at Chennai from Bahrain, Dubai and Abu Dhabi between 8pm and 8.40pm were also cancelled.An Oman Air flight to Muscat, which departed from Chennai airport at 2.20pm, was diverted back to Chennai due to airspace restrictions in the Middle East. It was later announced cancelled. Qatar Airways’ Chennai-Abu Dhabi flight, scheduled at 4.10pm on Saturday, was announced as cancelled. Etihad Airways’ flight to Abu Dhabi from Chennai at 9.40pm was cancelled, while Emirates’ flight to Dubai, scheduled at 9.45pm, was postponed and then cancelled.Major Indian carriers Air India Group and IndiGo soon announced the cancellation of flights to the Middle East destinations. Air India’s flight from Chennai to Dubai, scheduled at 6.45 pm on Saturday, was cancelled.In its advisory, Air India instructed passengers to check its official website for the latest updates on flight operations. “In view of the developing situation in parts of the Middle East, all Air India flights to all destinations in the Middle East are suspended. We remain committed to maintaining the highest standards of safety for our passengers and crew. We will continue to assess the safety and security environment for our flight operations and adjust operations proactively as required,” it said.IndiGo said it had cancelled all its flights to the Middle East and a few other international routes till 6pm on Sunday and assured that updates would be communicated promptly via registered contact details. International airlines like Oman Air, Air Arabia, Emirates, and Qatar Airways also advised passengers to keep updated with the latest flight information.Sources said Muscat did not allow flights into its flight information region (FIR) if they were to exit into Emirates FIR. “It accepted only those flights that will exit Muscat into Jeddah (FIR), resulting in congestion. Many flights that departed from India were returning from Muscat FIR as it does not allow flights to land either, citing capacity restrictions,” said sources.The flights cancelled at Chennai airport on Sunday included IndiGo’s flights to Doha at 3.40am and to Dubai at 6.20am, and Air Arabia’s flights to Sharjah at 3.45 am and to Abu Dhabi at 4.50 am. Etihad’s flight to Dubai at 3.55am, Emirates’ to Dubai at 3.50am, Qatar Airways’ flight to Doha at 4.05am, Gulf Air’s flight to Bahrain at 5.35am and Oman Air’s flight to Muscat at 7.20am have also been also cancelled.
