Kolkata

The escalating crisis in West Asia has begun to cast its shadow on international air travel, with at least 20 international flights cancelled from Kolkata on Monday, airport officials said.

According to sources at the Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport, several international carriers were forced to cancel their services due to the prevailing war-like situation in parts of West Asia and the operational challenges arising from it.

The cancellations included four arrivals and four departures by Emirates, two arrivals and two departures each by Qatar Airways and Etihad Airways, along with one arrival and one departure each of Air Arabia and Flydubai. These flights primarily connect Kolkata with major Gulf hubs.

As a result, a large number of passengers travelling to destinations such as Dubai, Doha and Abu Dhabi were affected. Airline staff assisted travellers with rescheduling their journeys or making alternative travel arrangements.

Airport officials said flight operations are being monitored closely in view of the evolving situation. Passengers have been advised to check the status of their flights with the respective airlines before proceeding to the airport.

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Kolkata airport serves as a key international gateway for eastern and northeastern India, offering direct connectivity to major Gulf cities that function as important transit hubs for onward travel to Europe, North America and other global destinations. The latest cancellations underline how geopolitical tensions in West Asia are continuing to disrupt global aviation networks.