Flight services connecting Kerala to Gulf countries has taken a major hit after the closure of Iranian airspace triggered widespread disruptions. At least six flights from Kannur were cancelled, while Kochi, Kozhikode, and Thiruvananthapuram airports also saw multiple service disruptions.
Most of the affected routes were between Kerala and key UAE destinations like Dubai and Sharjah, with all cancellations involving Air India and Air India Express flights. The trouble began on June 18 when two flights each from Abu Dhabi to Thiruvananthapuram and from Sharjah to Kozhikode were called off.
The following day, the situation worsened. Four more flights each from Kochi, Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram were cancelled without much prior notice, catching many travellers off guard.
While airports in the UAE had warned of possible delays and cancellations due to restrictions over Iran, Iraq, and Syria, the Airports Authority of India hasn’t issued any formal advisory so far.
This lack of clarity has left several passengers in limbo. Many inbound and outbound flights to GCC countries have been delayed for hours, with no confirmed updates from carriers.
With thousands of Malayali expatriates caught in the travel chaos, organisations like the Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre (KMCC) and Kerala Pravasi Sangham have voiced strong concerns.
According to them, passengers are being forced to shell out massive amounts for rescheduled travel. They also alleged that airlines are using the crisis — and the summer vacation window in Gulf countries — to hike fares without restraint.
“This has left many stranded either in Kerala or in Gulf countries,” reportedly said Sainudheen Cheleri from KMCC’s state committee. “Cancellations are happening without proper updates. Kannur and Karipur are the worst hit. We are preparing to protest against these airlines.”
The fare hikes have been staggering. A one-way Abu Dhabi–Kannur ticket that cost around ₹10,000 to ₹12,000 is now priced at ₹34,321. From July 1, that figure is projected to rise further, landing between ₹47,625 and ₹55,171.
The Dubai–Kannur route isn’t far behind, jumping to ₹29,402 currently and expected to hit ₹38,772 by end-June. Some estimates suggest it could touch ₹62,000 in July.
It’s a similar story for other routes. Dubai–Kochi flights were priced at ₹33,736 on June 19, and fares are forecast to climb to between ₹46,152 and ₹53,414 by late July. Thiruvananthapuram too has seen sharp jumps, with tickets to Dubai moving from the earlier ₹10,000–₹15,000 range to anywhere between ₹32,328 and ₹54,000.
The disruption comes right at the start of the Gulf summer break, a high-demand period for air travel. With the Israel–Iran conflict still unfolding and airspace restrictions unlikely to ease soon, there’s no clear timeline for things to return to normal.
Passengers, meanwhile, are left juggling uncertainty, long delays, and sky-high ticket prices — all without much clarity from the airlines or authorities.
