Eid homecoming plans hit by Israel-Iran airspace turmoil

Mangaluru: The Eid-ul-Fitr travel plans of many NRIs from coastal Karnataka are uncertain as the escalating Iran–Israel crisis has disrupted airspace across West Asia, raising fears of flight delays, rerouting, cancellations and flight availability.With Eid-ul-Fitr expected around March 19 or 20, expatriate families said the timing has heightened anxiety during what is typically the busiest travel period of the year. The annual Eid rush usually begins a week to 10 days before the festival, when NRIs finalise itineraries to return home, and airlines add capacity on key routes. This year, travel agents and passengers reported a slowdown in ticket bookings as travellers wait for clearer updates on route stability and airline schedules.
"Every year, I travel to Mangaluru with my family a week or ten days before the festival. But this year, with just two weeks left for Eid and airspace closures, our plans may not work out. We may have to celebrate the festival in Saudi Arabia itself," said an expatriate businessman.Ramadan in Saudi Arabia is continuing without major disruption, with offices and businesses operating as usual. However, many travellers are rescheduling or postponing trips, opting for later dates and waiting for more reliable flight availability before confirming bookings, said Mohammed Ashif, CEO of Expertise Company, Saudi Arabia.Ansar Katipalla, an NRI working in Oman, said expatriates remain eager to reunite with families during festivals but face recurring fare spikes. "It's a long-standing issue that airlines take advantage of us during these periods, charging three to four times the normal fare. Unfortunately, this issue remains unaddressed. Despite this, those who can afford it will still travel to celebrate with their loved ones," he said, adding that the current crisis has created uncertainty even if Oman has not seen major disruptions yet.He warned of wider economic fallout, citing potential supply chain disruptions in Gulf countries that import most of their goods. He said the situation is already affecting businesses run by expatriates and could push ticket prices higher even if flights resume. Similar concerns were echoed by expatriates in Bahrain, where travellers are closely tracking advisories and possible changes to flight schedules.Travel agents said special flights could be introduced if regular operations remain constrained by airspace restrictions. Travellers on visit visas or those stranded in transit are likely to prioritise the earliest available flights, while resident and work visa holders may consider special flight options depending on urgency.A worker based in Kuwait said many expatriates usually spend 10 days of Ramadan in Saudi Arabia visiting religious sites and either celebrate Eid there before returning to work or travel onwards to their hometowns, but the current situation may disrupt those plans.