Bengaluru: After days of travel chaos caused by the Middle East airspace closures, Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (BLR) welcomed the first flight from Dubai tonight, signaling a slow return to normalcy for international travel.

The flight, operated by Emirates, departed from Dubai International Airport (DXB) as part of a limited resumption of operations announced by Dubai Airports. Only a small number of flights are currently permitted, and travellers were advised not to head to the airports unless directly contacted with confirmed departure times.

Passengers arriving in Bengaluru described relief and gratitude after being stranded at transit hubs. One passenger said, “Once we got stuck in Abu Dhabi, Etihad Airways took good care of us. They booked hotels for all passengers whose flights were cancelled.”

Visuals from Bengaluru show passengers disembarking and reuniting with family and friends, highlighting the significance of the city as a major gateway for international travellers from the Gulf region.

The partial reopening follows days of flight suspensions across the Middle East after Iran launched missile attacks on US bases and civilian areas in response to joint US-Israel strikes on Iranian nuclear and missile sites. Thousands of international passengers, including several prominent Indian actors, were affected by the closures.

Airport officials in Bengaluru stressed that while this first flight marks an important milestone, normal operations remain limited, and passengers should check with airlines before travelling.