VASCO
Air travel between Goa and key Gulf destinations faced turbulence after rising hostilities in the Middle East forced airlines to suspend select services at Dabolim and Mopa airports.
Airport authorities confirmed that several international departures and arrivals were called off over the weekend, leaving passengers scrambling for updates.
An official statement said Air India Express flight IX0239 from Goa (GOI) to Dubai, scheduled at 23.10 hrs on Saturday was cancelled in view of the prevailing crisis. The disruption extended into the following day, with flight IX0240 from Dubai to Goa, slated to arrive at 0710 hrs on Sunday also being withdrawn.
Operations on the Bahrain sector were similarly affected. Gulf Air flights GF0284 and GF0285 operating on the Bahrain–Goa–Bahrain route at 03.30 hrs and 04.30 hrs respectively on Sunday were cancelled, airport officials confirmed.
In an advisory issued to travellers, the airport cautioned that westbound international services could face further delays, diversions, or rescheduling as the political situation in the Middle East continues to evolve.
Meanwhile, Manohar International Airport at Mopa has issued a passenger advisory stating that, owing to the evolving political situation in the Middle East region, westbound international flights may face disruptions or schedule adjustments.
Gulf Goans stranded in State
Several Gulf Goans have been stranded in Goa, after flights between Goa and the Gulf were cancelled amid the escalating war in the Gulf.
When contacted, John D’Sa, a community leader and social worker in Doha-Qatar, stated that he has been stranded in Goa.
“On Saturday afternoon, I was to travel from Goa to Doha via Mumbai. Air India issued me the boarding passes for Mumbai and Doha. I was about to board the Goa-Mumbai flight, when Air India cancelled the Mumbai-Doha flight at the last moment on grounds that Doha airspace is closed,” said D’Sa. “Now I’m grounded in Goa until the airspace re-opens. We hope the situation de-escalates quickly and returns to normalcy at the earliest.”
