Gulf return turns ordeal for coastal expatriates as direct flights vanish

Mangaluru: Thousands of expatriates from coastal Karnataka are struggling to return home following the suspension of direct flight services from Mangaluru to Kuwait and Bahrain, forcing them into long and expensive journeys through other cities.With no direct flights available, travellers are compelled to route their journeys via Mumbai, Goa, Bengaluru or airports in Kerala, extending travel time to nearly eight hours or more. For expatriates travelling due to medical emergencies, family crises or urgent work requirements, the disruption has become a serious hardship.Middle-class workers and families dependent on Gulf employment have been hit the hardest. Passengers said airfares, which had earlier averaged around Rs 20,000, have surged to nearly three to four times that amount in recent weeks. Limited seat availability has further worsened the situation, making urgent travel unaffordable for many.Vincent Sequeira, an expatriate working in Bahrain, said the Mangaluru–Bahrain route earlier had nearly three weekly flights but currently has none. He said travellers are now compelled to depend on airports in Bengaluru, Mumbai, Goa or Kerala to reach coastal Karnataka. According to him, a one-way fare now costs around Rs 25,000 and above, apart from the additional expense of travelling from those airports to their hometowns. He said even a single direct flight on the Mangaluru–Bahrain sector would provide major relief to expatriates wanting to return home.A similar situation prevails on the Kuwait–Mangaluru route, which earlier had three weekly flights but currently has no direct service. M Mohandas Kamath, an expatriate in Kuwait, said there are no direct flights available to Mangaluru and one-way fares now begin at Rs 75,000 and above. He said such prices are beyond the reach of ordinary workers, leaving only those facing emergencies able to travel, while many others remain stranded waiting for fares to come down.Another expatriate from Kuwait said some workers who had returned home on leave are now under pressure from employers to resume duties immediately or risk losing their jobs. Others whose residency permits are nearing expiry are also being forced to travel despite the high fares. He said emergency travel has become nearly impossible for middle-class workers because of the exorbitant ticket prices.GFXCOST BURDENEarlier (Gulf–Mangaluru routes)Average one-way fare: Rs 20,000 Direct flights availableNowDirect flights: Nil Bahrain–Mangaluru: Rs 25,000+ (one way) Kuwait–Mangaluru: Rs 75,000+ (one way) Travel via Bengaluru / Mumbai / Goa / KeralaImpactFares up 3–4 times Travel time 8 hrs+ Emergency travel out of reach for many