Gulf shuts airspace, flight operations to Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Kuwait disrupted amid rising tensions
Flights from Mangaluru to gulf diverted
Mangaluru: Amidst tensions in the Middle East, an attack on a US air base in Qatar has resulted in the closure of Qatari and Bahraini airspace. This has affected flight operations from different airports across the country to the gulf nations.
Alongside the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait has also reportedly shut its airspace, and several international airlines have redrawn their flight paths. According to data from FlightRadar24 accessed by The Economic Times, multiple global carriers have altered flight paths across the Persian Gulf following US military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, causing widespread disruption to air travel across the region.
Flight tracking data revealed that airspace over Iran, Iraq, Syria, and Israel remained largely empty, as airlines sought alternative routes. The global aviation monitoring group Safe Airspace has warned of heightened risks due to missile and drone activity, posing serious threats to commercial flights, especially those operated by US carriers.
Operations to Gulf disrupted from Mangaluru airport
Flight services from Mangaluru to Gulf destinations have also been affected. Passengers have been advised to contact their respective airlines to confirm the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
An Air India Express flight bound for Dammam was diverted to Muscat. Meanwhile, an IndiGo flight headed for Abu Dhabi was rerouted and landed in Mumbai, sources confirmed.
A passenger aboard the Dammam-bound flight stated that the aircraft had landed in Muscat, but passengers were not allowed to disembark. "If permission is granted, we will disembark here. Otherwise, the aircraft may refuel and return to Mangaluru," the passenger told Varthabharati.
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Former India hockey coach Michael Nobbs dies
Melbourne (PTI): Former Australian hockey player Michael Nobbs, who coached the Indian men's team at the 2012 London Olympics, has died after a prolonged illness.
He was 72 years old and is survived by his wife Lee Capes, a former Australian women's international and daughter Kaitlin, who is a current Hockeyroos star.
"Hockey Australia extends its deepest condolences to Michael’s family, friends, former teammates, players and all those whose lives and careers were shaped by his contribution to hockey. He will be remembered as a proud Kookaburra, a respected professional, and a servant of the sport," Hockey Australia said in a statement.
Nobbs represented Australia as a defender, playing across the half-back line and at fullback, and was renowned for his reliability, fitness and professionalism. He earned 76 international caps for Australia between 1979 and 1985, scoring one goal, and was a member of one of the strongest eras in Australian men’s hockey, said Hockey Australia on its website in its tribute.
Nobbs was an integral part of the Australian teams that competed at the 1981 Hockey World Cup in Bombay and the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
While part of a generation widely regarded as one of Australia’s finest, he consistently held his place through hard work, discipline and trust earned from teammates and coaches, Hockey Australia wrote.
Nobbs took over the coaching of the Indian men's team in 2011 after it had failed to qualify for the Beijing Games in 2008. While India were brilliant in the qualifiers, the team finished last at the London extravaganza which also expedited the Australian coach's sacking.
Apart from India, Nobbs also coached Japan.
