Qatar airspace closure: Flights from Kerala affected

Thiruvananthapuram: Flights from the Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi international airports were partially affected due to the closure of Qatar’s airspace.

According to a statement from Kochi airport, an Air India Express flight that departed at 6:53 pm on Monday from Kochi was diverted to Muscat. Air India’s Doha-bound flight, scheduled for 12:53 am on Tuesday, was cancelled. A Qatar Airways flight scheduled to arrive in Kochi at 2:53 am on Tuesday was delayed, affecting its return leg as well.

The Air Arabia Kochi–Abu Dhabi flight was delayed, while the Etihad Kochi–Abu Dhabi flight was returning to Kochi.

A statement from Thiruvananthapuram International Airport said that a Gulf Air flight to Bahrain was returning, while a Dubai service of Emirates and a Doha service of Qatar Airways were on hold. Departures of Air India Express's Dammam and Dubai services were also put on hold.

Passengers were requested to check with their respective airlines regarding the status of their flights before arriving at the airport.