Missiles, mayday & homecoming

In the wee hours of Tuesday, a flight from Dubai touched down at Kempegowda International Airport near Devanahalli. Among those on board – Karnataka Legislative Council member S.L. Bhojegowda and badminton star P.V. Sindhu.

Bhojegowda, who had travelled to South Africa and was returning via Dubai, said he learnt of the escalation only after reaching the UAE.

“Only after reaching Dubai did I learn about the problem. Initially, there was a delay in departure. Later, we were informed that the flight had been cancelled. There was such a heavy rush at Dubai airport that there was hardly any space,” he said.

“There was bombing near the hotel as well. Later, we were shifted to a safer location. Even then, there was constant concern about safety,” he said. Bhojegowda recalled hearing explosions while speaking to Krishna Byre Gowda. “Three missiles fell at that time. A bomb fell near Burj Khalifa, but it did not have much impact,” he said.

“Even on the morning of departure, bombs were falling. I saw three bombs fall. Because of that, our route was changed and we were sent back. A war-like atmosphere prevailed there. I had never imagined I would return so soon,” he added.

Indians, including several Kannadigas stranded in the Middle East after flights were cancelled amid the Israel-Iran conflict, began landing in Bangalore earlier this week. Over the past few days, a steady stream of relief flights operated by Indian airlines has ferried passengers from across West Asia back to the city, triggering visible relief among anxious families across the state

 

Fear at the check-in counter

For many, the trauma unfolded in real time. Saurabh Shetty, a Mangaluru native working for an oil company in Abu Dhabi, described the moment an alarm went off near the check-in area on February 28.

“Suddenly, near the check-in area, we got an alarm and were asked to sit down. We were cautioned not to sit near the windows because of a missile threat,” he said.

“Someone said, ‘Missile is going to hit.’ We were shocked. We were like we are in the safest city, Abu Dhabi. How can this happen here? Later, when we looked outside, we saw a missile,” he added.

Calling it a “life-breaking moment”, Shetty said, “When you see a missile in front of you, you feel it may hit you any moment.” From his hotel room, he said he could see interceptions in the sky. He expressed condolences for those who lost their lives and said all he wanted was to see his family again.

Girimalappa Kerur from Bagalkot, who was headed to Paris on business, said around 15 missiles were intercepted in Abu Dhabi and that one person reportedly died due to debris. He cancelled his onward trip and returned to Bangalore. “I’m relieved to be back,” he said.

 

Relief & frustration

Several passengers thanked Etihad Airways, the Abu Dhabi and Indian governments for arranging hotels, food and transport. Mahesh, travelling from Boston, said around 15 to 16 flights operated on the day of departure and more were expected to resume, though only partial airspace was available.

Ramya, a Bangalore resident, said her return flight was initially cancelled but Etihad arranged another flight on March 2. “As of now, the situation seems peaceful, but as a precautionary measure, they had closed the airspace. Only about 15 flights have been allowed,” she said.

Yet not everyone felt supported. Gautham, who returned from Dubai, said he was extremely scared during the strikes and expressed disappointment that there was no contact or assistance from the Indian Embassy at the time.

“Several of my friends are still stranded in Dubai. Flights are fully booked and they have been there for five to six days,” he said, even as he praised UAE authorities for maintaining strong security.

 

City on alert: Help desk at T2

Bangalore stepped up its efforts to provide the necessary aid to the traveller earlier in the week with Kempegowda International Airport in full crisis-support mode.

On Tuesday, authorities set up a dedicated Help Desk at the kerbside of Terminal 2 to assist passengers amid ongoing flight disruptions. The single-window system is managing queries, coordinating ground transport, guiding travellers to airline ground handlers and facilitating emergency services.

Basic amenities such as chairs, drinking water, snacks, medical assistance, sanitary pads, charging stations and even a makeshift feeding facility, have been arranged. Wheelchairs are available on request. Airport officials said the measures are aimed at ensuring passenger comfort and safety as delays and cancellations continue.

The Kannadigas Helpline team led by non-resident Kannadiga patron Ronald Colaco has been collecting details of stranded individuals and urging urgent government assistance.

The team expressed readiness to bear emergency expenses and asked those in need of medical services in Dubai, Sharjah, Abu Dhabi and Ajman to reach out.

Authorities in Karnataka and the UAE are said to be in contact as efforts continue to bring home those still stuck.

For now, every touchdown at Devanahalli is more than a landing; it is an end to days of sirens, missile alerts and sleepless nights. But with flights still fully booked and partial airspace in place, the Gulf tremors are far from over for many families waiting in Karnataka.

***With inputs from national news agencies’ published stories