Several passengers were left stranded at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on Sunday after multiple flights to Middle Eastern destinations were cancelled amid escalating tensions between Iran and Israel.
The cancellations come after coordinated military strikes involving Israel and the United States targeted Iranian sites. Iranian state media confirmed that Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed in the attacks. The developments have led to airspace closures across parts of West Asia, affecting international travel routes.
Also Read: US, Israel attack Iran LIVE: Khamenei killed, defence chiefs eliminated; Gulf airports hit by drones
Passengers stranded at Indian airports
Rashid Khan, one of the stranded passengers, told ANI that airport authorities cited the Iran-Israel war as the reason for the cancellation. “The reason the airport authority gave me was the Iran-Israel war. My flight is cancelled,” he said. Khan was scheduled to travel from Delhi to Bengaluru and onward to Abu Dhabi. “They gave me the option of another city. I chose my city. My route was Delhi to Bangalore and Bangalore to Abu Dhabi. Now it is cancelled,” he added.
Another passenger said flights may not resume until a ceasefire is in place. “Authorities are saying that the flights will not be resumed until the ceasefire is in place there. We have to go there. Our office and everything are there. We are going to Italy directly from Bahrain. Now, there is no flight for Bahrain,” the passenger told ANI.
Visuals from Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport showed several flights cancelled due to the situation in the Middle East. In Chennai, passengers faced inconvenience following disruptions and cancellations.
Air India, Air India Express and IndiGo earlier announced the temporary suspension of operations to and from the Middle East, citing safety concerns. Airports across India have set up help desks to assist affected travellers with rebooking and refunds.
In a statement, IndiGo said it remains vigilant and is closely monitoring developments in the region around Iran and the Middle East, with the safety and security of customers and crew as its highest priority. The airline said the situation is evolving, and further schedule adjustments may be required. It added that passengers will be informed of any changes through their registered contact details.
Also Read: Khamenei killed in US-Israel offensive; Iran declares 40 days of mourning as region teeters on brink
Dubai airport reports drone strike
Meanwhile, four people were wounded after an Iranian drone targeted Dubai International Airport, causing damage inside a passenger terminal, Al Jazeera reported, citing Dubai Airports’ media office. Emergency teams were deployed straight away in coordination with relevant authorities.
Reuters, citing Iranian state media, reported that 40 days of public mourning have been announced in Iran following Khamenei’s death.
Earlier, The Times of Israel cited Iran’s state media reporting that Khamenei’s daughter, grandchild, daughter-in-law and son-in-law were killed in the strikes. CNN reported celebrations in several Iranian cities, with slogans heard on the streets. Fox News shared a video reporting celebrations in Besat Town, a suburb of Karaj.
Former spokesperson for the state of Israel Eylon A Levy posted a video on X claiming Iranian women were celebrating after hearing of Khamenei’s death. Iranian activist and journalist Masih Alinejad also posted a video showing people celebrating inside Iran.
US President Donald Trump earlier claimed Khamenei’s death in a post on Truth Social, calling it justice. He said the bombing would continue “as long as necessary.”
“Khamenei, one of the most evil people in History, is dead. This is not only Justice for the people of Iran, but for all Great Americans, and those people from many Countries throughout the World, that have been killed or mutilated by Khamenei and his gang of bloodthirsty THUGS…The heavy and pinpoint bombing, however, will continue, uninterrupted throughout the week or, as long as necessary to achieve our objective of PEACE THROUGHOUT THE MIDDLE EAST AND, INDEED, THE WORLD,” read the post.