Mangaluru: Hundreds of passengers from Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and neighbouring areas are facing travel disruptions after flight operations to Saudi Arabia were affected by attacks attributed to Houthi rebels. With services suspended, some Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia have begun travelling by road to Qatar to catch flights back to India.
The disruption has affected passengers travelling between Mangaluru International Airport and major Saudi destinations, including Jeddah and Dammam. Among those facing difficulties are elderly pilgrims, people with health problems and passengers who need to return to India urgently.
Air India Express and IndiGo have extended the suspension of their services to Saudi Arabia until October 24, leaving travellers uncertain about when their journeys can resume.
Flights from Mangaluru affected
Air India Express had been operating flights between Mangaluru International Airport and Jeddah and Dammam three times a week. The suspension has disrupted travel plans for hundreds of passengers who depend on these services for journeys between coastal Karnataka and Saudi Arabia.
The affected passenger base extends beyond Dakshina Kannada and Udupi to areas from Kasaragod in Kerala to Bhatkal in Karnataka. For many residents of this coastal belt, Mangaluru is a key departure and arrival point for international travel.
The disruption has affected passengers scheduled to travel from Mangaluru to Saudi Arabia as well as those waiting to return to India. With regular flights unavailable, travellers have been forced to consider alternative arrangements, postpone journeys or wait for services to resume.
The extension of cancellations until October 24 has added to the uncertainty, particularly for those who had planned their trips around fixed dates.
Umrah pilgrims take alternative routes home
Some Umrah pilgrims stranded in Saudi Arabia have reportedly started travelling by road to Qatar to access flights to India.
The alternative route has become an option for those unable to wait for regular services to resume. However, the journey can be particularly difficult for elderly passengers, people with existing health concerns and those who need to reach home for urgent reasons.
Some pilgrims are attempting to make alternative travel arrangements through Qatar and Bahrain, depending on the availability of onward flights and the feasibility of reaching those destinations.
Such arrangements require travellers to consider road travel, connecting flights and applicable entry and transit requirements. The availability of a flight from another country does not necessarily guarantee that every stranded passenger can reach it easily.
For pilgrims who travelled as part of organised groups, coordinating alternative transport and return arrangements can add another layer of complexity.
Visit visa holders and urgent travellers affected
The suspension has also affected people who travelled to Saudi Arabia on visit visas, along with passengers who need to return to India for work, family commitments or other urgent responsibilities.
Some travellers are exploring alternative routes, while others are waiting for airlines to restore regular operations. The uncertainty over departure dates has complicated plans for those who have fixed schedules or limited flexibility.
Passengers who need to return urgently may also face additional expenses if they have to arrange road transport to another country and purchase replacement flight tickets.
For those travelling with elderly relatives or people requiring medical attention, alternative journeys may be especially challenging. The situation has therefore created difficulties beyond the immediate cancellation of flights, affecting accommodation, transport arrangements and return planning.
Coastal districts depend on Mangaluru airport
Mangaluru International Airport serves as an important gateway for residents of Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and neighbouring parts of coastal Karnataka and northern Kerala.
Air connections to Saudi Arabia are particularly important for pilgrims, expatriate workers, families visiting relatives and other passengers travelling between the two regions.
The suspension of flights to Jeddah and Dammam has consequently affected a wide geographical area, with passengers who would normally use Mangaluru having to consider other airports or alternative routes.
Travelling through another airport may involve additional road journeys, higher costs and changes to existing bookings. For passengers already abroad, reaching a departure point in a neighbouring country can pose further logistical challenges.
Passengers await restoration of services
With Air India Express and IndiGo services to Saudi Arabia suspended until October 24, affected passengers are waiting for further updates on flight operations.
Travellers are advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest information on cancellations, rescheduling, refunds and alternative arrangements before beginning any additional journey. Those considering travel through Qatar or Bahrain should also verify flight availability and the applicable entry and transit requirements.
The disruption has highlighted the dependence of coastal Karnataka’s travelling public on regular international connections from Mangaluru. Until services resume, passengers from the region are likely to continue facing uncertainty, with some relying on alternative routes and others waiting for normal operations to return.