Kuwait faces major travel disruption as Gulf Air flight from Bahrain to Manchester diverted for emergency landing: New travel updates you need to know

Gulf Air flight GF5, from Bahrain to Manchester, was forced to divert to Kuwait International Airport on December 1 after a technical problem with the plane. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which took off from Bahrain at 2:05 a.m., was due to reach Manchester in 7:30 a.m. However, due to an unexpected malfunction, the flight was rerouted and landed at Kuwait airport at 4:01 a.m. local time, leaving many passengers, especially Indians, in a difficult situation.

The Indian nationals on board were unable to leave the airport as Kuwait does not offer visa on arrival (VoA) to Indian citizens. This left them stuck in the terminal while travelers from other countries, eligible for VoA, were allowed to exit and make other arrangements. Stranded passengers were further troubled by the lack of hotel rooms in Kuwait, as the country was hosting a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) summit at the time, causing a shortage of accommodation. With almost all hotels fully booked, Indian passengers faced growing frustration.

The affected travellers, many of whom were en route to the UK via Bahrain, were expecting a straightforward journey. Instead, they found themselves stuck in a foreign airport with little support. The Indian embassy in Kuwait has stepped in to help, but finding accommodation and booking a flight is proving to be a challenge, especially given the high demand in the city due to the GCC summit.

This incident highlighted the importance of being aware of visa policies, especially when transiting through countries with strict entry regulations. While many travelers may not have anticipated needing a visa to stay in Kuwait, this situation serves as a reminder of the complexities associated with international travel, especially when unexpected diversions occur.

Currently, Gulf Air and the Indian Embassy are working together to find solutions for affected passengers. However, with limited accommodation options and logistical hurdles to overcome, stranded travelers wait in uncertainty. Passengers hope to be able to continue their journey to the UK soon, but for now they remain in limbo at Kuwait International Airport.