Indian expatriates are facing mounting anxiety over their employment after widespread flight cancellations linked to the escalating West Asia conflict left many stranded at airports across India, a Khaleej Times report said.
Passengers scheduled to return to workplaces in Saudi Arabia, the UAE and other Gulf countries have been unable to travel since Saturday. Airlines suspended operations and airspace restrictions widened following the US–Israel strikes on Iran, disrupting multiple international routes.
Among those affected is J. Fernandes from Siolim in Goa, who had travelled home briefly to complete urgent personal work. He was due to resume duty in Saudi Arabia on Sunday but remains stranded. He fears that if the conflict drags on, migrant workers like him could face job losses.
Thomas D’Souza, another Goan who had returned from the Gulf following his mother’s death, is also concerned about the consequences of a prolonged disruption. A delayed return, he said, could jeopardise his employment.
Scenes of confusion were reported at major airports including Chandigarh, Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Kolkata. Long queues formed as passengers waited for updates on international departures, while airline counters struggled to manage rebookings and refund requests.
India's Ministry of Civil Aviation indicated that further cancellations are likely because of airspace restrictions across parts of West Asia. With key transit corridors affected, there is no clarity yet on when normal services will resume.
R. Sandeep, who works in London and was returning after extended leave, said he faced serious difficulty as he was required to report back to work on Monday. Others scheduled to travel to Lebanon and neighbouring destinations expressed similar concerns over missing reporting deadlines.
The disruption has also affected holidaymakers heading to the UAE, many of whom fear financial losses due to non-refundable hotel and flight bookings.
Passengers travelling on long-haul routes to the US and Europe reported abrupt cancellations and limited communication from airlines. Several said they had not received timely alerts about flight status, leaving them waiting at terminals without clear information.
In a relief measure, the Ministry of External Affairs advised foreign nationals stranded in India because of the crisis to approach the nearest Foreigners Regional Registration Office to seek visa extensions or to regularise their stay.
The advisory applies to those whose onward travel plans have been disrupted due to developments in West Asia.
The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has advised Indian carriers to avoid the airspace of nearly a dozen countries amid the conflict. These include Iran, Israel, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Iraq, Jordan and Lebanon.
Indian airlines operating to the region — Air India, IndiGo, Air India Express, Akasa Air and SpiceJet — have suspended services to several West Asian destinations. Airports across India have issued public notices urging passengers to check flight status with airlines before proceeding to terminals.
With tensions showing no immediate signs of easing, expatriate workers and travellers remain in limbo, uncertain about return schedules and the potential impact on their employment and finances.
