First Gulf Carrier Flights Land in Kolkata Since Israel-Iran War Erupted
In a significant development for air travel connectivity, Kolkata's Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport received its first flights from Gulf carriers on Tuesday since the outbreak of the Israel-Iran war on February 28. This marks a cautious resumption of services in the region amidst ongoing geopolitical tensions.
Dubai Flights Operate with Passenger Traffic
The early hours of Tuesday saw the arrival of FlyDubai flight FZ 8199 from Dubai, touching down at 12:28 AM with 151 passengers onboard. This special unscheduled operation became the first flight to operate during the current crisis period. Its return flight, FZ 8200, departed Kolkata at 2:14 AM carrying 13 passengers.
Later in the day, Emirates Airlines flight EK 0570 landed at 7:40 AM with 311 passengers, followed by its return flight EK 0571 taking off at 9:12 AM with 193 passengers. Combined, these two Dubai flights brought in 462 passengers to Kolkata while departing with 206 passengers, indicating continued travel demand despite the conflict situation.
Abu Dhabi Flight En Route as Operations Expand
When last reports came in, a scheduled Air Arabia flight from Abu Dhabi was on its way to Kolkata, with an estimated time of arrival around midnight. This represents the first operation from Abu Dhabi since the war began and signals expanding flight resumptions from the Gulf region.
Gradual Resumption of Gulf Connectivity
With these operations, Kolkata now sees flights from three major Gulf carriers: FlyDubai, Emirates, and Air Arabia. Two additional Emirates flights are scheduled to arrive on Wednesday, further strengthening the revived air corridor.
Notably, two prominent Gulf carriers—Etihad Airways and Qatar Airways—have yet to resume their flights to Kolkata. The aviation industry continues to monitor the situation closely as airlines balance operational safety with passenger demand in the volatile regional context.
The resumption of these flights provides crucial connectivity for travelers, particularly given Kolkata's significant diaspora and business connections with Gulf countries. Aviation authorities continue to coordinate with airlines to ensure safe operations while navigating the complex geopolitical landscape affecting Middle Eastern air travel.
