Bengaluru: Scores of Indian nationals arrived at Kempegowda International Airport on Monday night, sharing harrowing accounts of missile interceptions and mid-air explosions that brought the conflict in the Middle East to the doorstep of once-secure Gulf hubs.

The passengers, arriving on flights from the United Arab Emirates, described a transition from routine travel to life-threatening uncertainty as the "Operation Epic Fury" campaign triggered a wave of retaliatory strikes across the region.

Terror at the Terminal

For many, the first sign of danger came during the check-in process at Abu Dhabi International Airport on Feb. 28. Saurabh Shetty, an oil company employee from Mangaluru, described the scene as "worrisome and scary."

"When I came to catch my flight on February 28, everything seemed alright. Suddenly, near the check-in area, we got an alarm and were asked to sit down. We were cautioned not to sit near the windows because of a missile threat," Shetty told PTI.

The reality of the threat became clear as passengers witnessed the kinetic exchange in the skies above the terminal. "Someone said, 'Missile is going to hit.' We were shocked. We were like, we are in the safest city, Abu Dhabi. How can this happen here? Later, when we looked outside, we saw a missile," Shetty said, calling it a "life-breaking moment."

Interceptions and Infrastructure

Other travellers reported feeling the physical impact of the aerial defence efforts. Prasad, a Bengaluru-based software developer, noted that the atmosphere remained thick with tension.

"We heard sounds and felt vibrations. There were interceptions happening, and some debris reportedly fell near the airport," Prasad said, adding that conditions in neighbouring Dubai were rumoured to be even more severe.

Girimalappa Kerur, a businessman from Bagalkot who abandoned a trip to Paris to return to India, recounted hearing approximately 15 missile interceptions over Abu Dhabi. "One person reportedly died due to debris," Kerur said. "Etihad arranged a safe hotel away from the airport. They are operating about 15 flights a day between 5 am and 5 pm to clear the backlog from February 28."

A Massive Logistical Effort

Despite the chaos, passengers credited Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi government, and the Indian government for a coordinated evacuation and support effort.

  • Accommodations: Stranded travellers were moved to hotels and provided with meals free of charge as the UAE closed its airspace as a "precautionary measure."
  • Limited Airspace: Ramya, a Bengaluru resident, noted that only about 15 flights were permitted to operate on Monday as authorities managed a "partial" opening of the sky.
  • Ongoing Disruptions: Travelers like Niruban from Coimbatore reported delays linked to persistent "drone activity," though they praised the seamless transport arranged back to the airport once flights resumed.

Gratitude and Relief

As they reunited with families in Bengaluru, the overwhelming sentiment was one of narrow escape. Mahesh, travelling from Boston via Abu Dhabi, lauded the airline's "great service" in housing passengers during the height of the strikes.

Reflecting on his experience from a hotel room where he watched the night sky light up with interceptions, Shetty expressed a newfound empathy for military personnel. "At that time, I thought about how the Indian Army faces such situations. We have great respect for them," he said. "We survived and returned home. If one missile had hit, we would not be here. All we wanted was to see our families."

With inputs from PTI