Air travel between India and West Asia has taken a major hit once again as escalating tensions following Iran’s latest missile strikes on Qatar forced several airlines to cancel key services. The sudden disruption has stranded hundreds of passengers and reignited fears over regional instability.
Qatar had briefly reopened its airspace, but swiftly shut it again amid heightened security concerns. In response, Air India Express cancelled early morning flights from Thiruvananthapuram to Sharjah, Muscat, Dammam, and Dubai. Qatar Airways’ services to Doha, Kuwait Airways’ flights to Kuwait, and IndiGo’s Sharjah-bound flights were also pulled.
At Karipur Airport, nine scheduled flights for today and one for tomorrow have been grounded, airport officials confirmed.
The missile strikes occurred late Monday night, with Iran reportedly targeting military airbases in Qatar and Iraq. Loud explosions were heard in Doha, according to local media. However, Qatar’s Ministry of Defence said all incoming missiles aimed at the Al Udeid airbase were successfully intercepted using air defense systems.
Thankfully, there were no casualties or injuries, and Qatar’s defense forces remain on high alert. Authorities emphasized that both airspace and borders remain secure.
Passengers are strongly advised to check flight status before heading to the airport, as officials warn that restoring normal flight operations may take longer than expected.
