West Asia tensions disrupt Kerala-Gulf flights; 10 services cancelled at Kochi, more affected at Calicut

Flight services connecting Kerala with Saudi Arabia and other West Asian destinations have faced disruptions, with Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) reporting 10 cancelled services between October 11 and 13. Calicut International Airport has also reported cancellations, while an Air India Express service from Kannur to Riyadh has been cancelled on Sunday and Monday.

The disruptions have affected services connecting Kerala with Riyadh, Jeddah, Doha and Ras Al Khaimah. Airport authorities have attributed the cancellations to the prevailing geopolitical situation in West Asia, although they have not provided details of the specific developments affecting individual flights.

For passengers, the immediate concern is whether their scheduled flight will operate as planned. Travellers have been advised to check directly with their airline before setting out for the airport, as flight schedules may change at short notice.

Ten services cancelled at Kochi

CIAL said 10 flight services had been cancelled at Kochi between October 11 and 13, including five operated by Akasa Air.

The services affected on October 11 included Flynas flights XY 399 and XY 400 between Kochi and Riyadh; Air India Express flights IX 475 and IX 476 between Kochi and Doha; Akasa Air flights QP 523 to Riyadh and QP 550 to Jeddah; and IndiGo flight 6E 1517 to Ras Al Khaimah.

For October 12, the cancellations listed by CIAL included Akasa Air flight QP 551 from Jeddah to Kochi, QP 524 from Riyadh to Kochi and QP 523 from Kochi to Riyadh.

Akasa Air flight QP 524 from Riyadh to Kochi was also listed as cancelled on October 13.

The cancellations affect both departing and arriving passengers. Travellers who are already in Saudi Arabia or other Gulf destinations and are scheduled to return to Kerala should also verify their flight status rather than assume that the return service will operate as planned.

Calicut airport reports cancellations on Riyadh routes

Calicut International Airport at Karipur has also reported disruptions to services connecting Kozhikode and Riyadh.

The cancellations reported for October 11 included Saudia flight SV 713, scheduled to depart Karipur at 9.55 am; Flynas flight XY 328 to Riyadh, scheduled for 9.10 am; and Air India Express flight IX 321, scheduled to depart at 8.15 pm.

The airport also reported cancellations involving arrivals from Riyadh. These included Flynas flight XY 328, scheduled to arrive at 8.20 am; Flynas flight XY 373, due at 3.25 pm; and Saudia flight SV 712, scheduled to arrive at 8.40 pm. The reported disruption covered services on Sunday and Monday.

However, not all services to Saudi Arabia have been suspended. According to the information provided by airport authorities, Air India, Akasa Air and IndiGo services to Jeddah and Dammam were continuing to operate as scheduled.

This distinction is important for passengers: cancellations on selected routes or services do not necessarily mean that all flights to a destination have been stopped. Travellers should check the status of their specific flight using the flight number and date of travel.

Kannur-Riyadh service also affected

The disruption extends to Kannur International Airport. Air India Express flight IX789, scheduled to depart Kannur for Riyadh at 2.20 pm on October 11, was cancelled. The same service scheduled for October 12 was also cancelled.

Passengers booked on this route should contact the airline for information on rebooking, refunds or alternative travel arrangements. The cancellation of a scheduled service does not, by itself, establish what arrangements will be offered to individual passengers.

Why the cancellations matter to Kerala’s Gulf travellers

Air links between Kerala and the Gulf are important for a large number of passengers travelling for employment, family visits, education, business and other personal commitments. For many families, these journeys are planned well in advance, making sudden cancellations particularly difficult to manage.

A disruption can affect more than the flight itself. Passengers may have connecting flights, onward road journeys, hotel bookings, work commitments or family members waiting at the destination. Those travelling on separate tickets may face additional difficulties if a cancellation causes them to miss a connection.

The impact can also extend to passengers returning to Kerala. A cancelled inbound flight may affect airport pickups, onward journeys and plans involving family members. Travellers should therefore check both departure and arrival information, especially when relatives are expected to reach Kerala from the Gulf.

The reported cancellations do not establish the total number of passengers affected, and airport authorities have not provided figures on passenger volumes, rescheduling or refunds. The overall scale of the disruption will depend on how many services are cancelled, how long the situation continues and what alternative arrangements airlines can provide.

Festive travel plans could face uncertainty

The timing of the disruption is significant for passengers making travel plans around the festive season. October and November often see families coordinating holidays, visits and other commitments around school schedules, work leave and religious or cultural occasions. Passengers planning trips during this period may have limited flexibility to change dates or secure alternative tickets at short notice.

For travellers who have already booked flights, the safest approach is to monitor airline notifications and verify the status of the flight on the day of travel. Those who have not yet booked should check the availability and schedules of alternative services before finalising connecting arrangements.

Passengers should also allow additional time to manage any changes and avoid making separate, non-refundable bookings that depend on a flight whose status remains uncertain. If a flight is cancelled, they should contact the airline through its official website, app, customer-service channel or airport counter to understand the available options.

The festive travel impact will depend on the duration and extent of the disruption. The cancellations reported so far should not be interpreted as a blanket suspension of Kerala-Gulf air services.

What passengers should do before travelling

Passengers scheduled to fly between Kerala and West Asian destinations should check their flight status directly with the operating airline before leaving home. They should confirm the flight number, date, departure time and airport, and look for any message about cancellation, delay or rescheduling.

Those whose flights have been cancelled should seek clarification from the airline about rebooking, refunds and alternative services. Passengers with connecting flights should also contact the relevant carriers to understand how a change to the first leg may affect the rest of their journey.

Airport authorities have advised passengers to verify operational details with airlines. Calicut airport officials have said decisions concerning other flights would be taken after assessing the prevailing situation.

For now, the key message is to verify rather than assume. While selected services have been cancelled, some flights to Saudi Arabia continue to operate. Passengers should rely on the latest information from their airline and airport before beginning their journey.