Aviation – Emirates Flight From Dubai Reaches Chennai Safely After Departure Delay
Aviation – An Emirates flight travelling from Dubai reached Chennai International Airport in the early hours of Friday after experiencing a delay of nearly one hour before departure. The aircraft, identified as flight EK 0542, eventually completed its journey safely despite the late take-off from Dubai.
Delay Linked to Air Clearance Procedures
Passengers on board said the delay occurred at Dubai airport while authorities completed air clearance procedures. The hold-up reportedly came amid heightened tensions in parts of the West Asian region, which have prompted stricter aviation checks and precautionary measures for flights operating in and out of the area.
Despite the delay at departure, the aircraft landed safely in Chennai, and passengers were able to disembark without any reported issues. Airport operations in Chennai continued normally following the arrival.
Passengers Describe Situation in Dubai
Several travellers shared their experiences about the situation in Dubai during their stay there. Messool, a medical student who had been studying in the region, said educational institutions had already shifted to online classes in response to the ongoing tensions.
According to him, universities had been conducting virtual lectures for nearly a week. He also mentioned that Ramadan holidays had been announced earlier than usual, and students were advised to remain cautious while staying in the region.
Messool added that occasional interception sounds were heard at times, which prompted authorities and institutions to emphasize safety measures. He said that online classes are expected to continue until March 23, or until conditions improve.
Residents Remain Safe Despite Occasional Noises
Another passenger, Sumana, said that although residents in Dubai occasionally heard loud sounds, people in the city remained safe and daily life largely continued without disruption. She noted that her journey, which began in Abu Dhabi before connecting to Chennai, was comfortable overall.
Sumana explained that the aircraft departed later than scheduled but the flight itself was smooth and reached Chennai without any complications. According to her, passengers remained calm throughout the journey.
Airline Staff Cite Routine Clearance Delay
Ashish, another traveller on the same flight, said that the general situation in Dubai appeared normal during his stay. He noted that airline staff informed passengers that the delay was related to air clearance procedures and not due to any immediate safety concern at the airport.
Passengers said airport authorities and airline crews handled the situation in an orderly manner while keeping travellers informed about the revised departure schedule.
Aviation Ministry Monitoring Regional Developments
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Civil Aviation said it is closely observing developments in the West Asia region and their potential impact on air travel involving India. Officials stated that airlines are making necessary operational adjustments to maintain safe and smooth flight operations.
The ministry emphasized that passenger safety remains the top priority as airlines evaluate schedules and routes in response to evolving regional conditions.
Flight Services Between India and Riyadh Resume
In a related development, the ministry confirmed that flight operations by Indian carriers between India and Riyadh resumed on March 12. On the first day of resumed services, three flights were scheduled to operate to Mumbai by Air India and IndiGo, while Air India Express operated one service to Calicut.
Officials said the resumption restores important air connectivity between India and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, which had been temporarily affected due to operational considerations.
Strong Passenger Movement From Gulf Countries
Data released by the ministry showed that a significant number of passengers continued travelling from Gulf countries to India in recent weeks. Between February 28 and March 11, a total of 150,457 passengers arrived in India on flights from various Gulf destinations.
Authorities also confirmed that Indian airlines planned to operate 57 inbound flights on March 12 from multiple cities across West Asia. These include Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Fujairah, Jeddah, Muscat, Ras Al Khaimah, Riyadh and Sharjah, depending on operational feasibility and prevailing conditions.
Authorities Ensure Passenger Convenience
The Ministry of Civil Aviation stated that it is maintaining constant coordination with airlines and aviation stakeholders to ensure smooth travel arrangements for passengers. Officials are also closely monitoring airfare trends to prevent any sudden or unreasonable increase in ticket prices during this period.
Travellers have been advised to stay in touch with their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding flight schedules and possible changes in departure or arrival timings.
The ministry said it will continue to review the regional situation and issue further updates if required.