Kozhikode, Friday 25 December 2009: Disruption of Air India Express service from here to Gulf destinations over the last few days has resulted in cancellation of at least six flights today.

Utter confusion prevailed at Karipur international airport here with the Air India Express cancelling flights to Manama, Abu Dhabi, two services each to Sharjah and Muscat while services to other Gulf destinations including Kuwait, Sharjah and Dubai were delayed indefinitely, airport sources said.

The AI Express, which operates several flights to the Gulf region, had recently withdrawn ground handling personnel of a firm after its contract expired without making alternate arrangements resulting in complete disruption of flight schedule over the last few days and cancellation of as many as six flights today to the Gulf sector, the sources said.

Besides, two senior airlines officials also reportedly went on leave, compounding the problem for Gulf-bound passengers.