Dubai & Abu Dhabi flight cancellations after airspace closure leave passengers stranded

Pune: Many passengers scheduled to fly from Pune to Dubai and Abu Dhabi on Saturday were left stranded after airlines cancelled services due to airspace closures in the Middle East in view of the ongoing USA-Israel-Iran tension.Akurdi resident Neelabh Kumar, who was booked on one of the cancelled flights, told TOI, "My family is relieved, but I'm not. I have to join office on March 1 and there has been no further update from the airline. I've emailed my manager."
Pune operates two flights to Dubai — by SpiceJet and IndiGo — and one to Abu Dhabi by Air India Express. Airport director Santosh Dhoke said all these three flights were cancelled. "Passengers have been informed," he said, listing the affected flights as SG-51 (Pune-Dubai), IX-283 (Pune-Abu Dhabi) and 6E-1484/1483 (Dubai-Pune-Dubai).A Hadapsar-based couple headed to Dubai for a holiday from Mumbai considered themselves fortunate. "We had reached Lonavla for our onward journey when a personal issue forced our tour operator to cancel the trip. By Saturday afternoon, news of the airspace shutdown came in," the couple said.With Ramzan under way and Eid approaching, many passengers were worried. Kondhwa Khurd resident Shafiq Shaikh said, "My brother and his family were supposed to come for Eid. Now the entire plan is uncertain. We hope things normalise soon."Travel agencies reported rising anxiety among clients. Santosh Gupta, owner of Shree Vinayak Holidays, said travellers scheduled for early and mid-March were concerned. "One client was to travel on March 1. He is very worried. Several passengers flying to London via Dubai on Emirates are also anxious," he said.Gupta said airlines had yet to clarify refund procedures. "We are waiting for updates," he said. Airlines continued to post advisories on their social media platforms for passengers.