Around 2,000 Flights to Dubai, Europe Cancelled

Visakhapatnam: The escalating war between Iran and the US-Israel has disrupted the travel plans of many tourists from northern Andhra who were planning to go to Dubai this week and many who were planning to tour Europe via Dubai this month.

The sudden outbreak of war also caused trouble for NRIs who had come from Dubai and other Gulf countries to celebrate Ramadan in their hometowns. They were stuck with no possibility of flights starting early. Those who want to go on holiday from the Gulf find themselves in a similar situation.

Dheeraj Prah, a representative of a Mumbai-based travel agency, said a group of 12 adults and four children canceled their trip to Dubai today and were waiting for the war to end as soon as possible.

“Hundreds of families travel to Dubai as it is off-season due to Ramzan,” Dheeraj said. Deccan Chronicle. Another travel agent, Shiek Moulali, who owns a travel company in Vizag, said that a group of 24 members who were planning to go to Dubai this weekend also canceled their trip. He said he had no immediate plans to visit West Asia.

Dheeraj said that approximately 500 people who planned to visit Dubai at the end of this month canceled their trips, while 200 people postponed their plans.

While those who will fly directly to Europe this month continue their plans, those who fly via Dubai, which is cheaper than a direct flight, also maintain their hopes.

“These disruptions are hurting travel agencies to a large extent. Many of them have suffered losses during the Covid pandemic as well as during Operation Sindoor last year and now comes the war in the Middle East,” Dheeraj said.

He suggested that the central government should compensate the losses suffered by travel agencies.

“Post Covid outbreak, the government cut Rs 2,000 as license renewal fee but we were not given anything regarding the disruption of flights during Operation Sindoor,” he added.