Indore (Madhya Pradesh): Air India Express cancelled its Indore-Sharjah flight on Tuesday night, leaving several passengers stranded and frustrated at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport.

The airline cited unavailability of landing slots at Sharjah airport as the reason behind the last-minute cancellation.

The flight, which operates four days a week—Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday—usually arrives from Sharjah at 9.10 pm and departs at 10.10 pm. However, on Tuesday, passengers waiting at the airport were informed that the service had been suspended due to congestion at Sharjah airport.

This cancellation comes amid ongoing disruption in Air India’s operations following the recent crash of its Boeing Dreamliner 787-8 on the Ahmedabad-London route. Though operated by Air India, the ripple effect has impacted its subsidiary, Air India Express.

Sources at the airport revealed that the airline had informed airport management about the expected congestion in Sharjah and had pre-decided to cancel the flight. Affected passengers were offered full refunds or rebooking for later dates. Some were accommodated via alternate routes through Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, but for many—especially those with pre-planned tours—the sudden change caused significant distress.

Airport officials fear the slot congestion issue at Sharjah may worsen in coming days, potentially leading to more disruptions. Passengers are advised to stay updated on schedules and reconfirm their booking