KUWAIT CITY, Sept 28: After recently suspending its Kuwait–Goa sector, Air India Express has announced it will also discontinue flights to Kozhikode and Kannur in its upcoming winter schedule, sparking outrage among the expatriate community.

The Kozhikode District NRI Association (KDNA) voiced strong concern, warning that the move will cause severe hardship for thousands of passengers from the Malabar region, who rely on these routes as their only direct connection between Kuwait and their hometowns. With no alternative direct flights currently available, the suspension is expected to disrupt travel plans for a large section of the expatriate population.

KDNA also criticized Air India Express for what it described as inconsistent and inadequate service quality. Despite charging fares up to four times higher during vacation seasons, passengers have long complained of delays, irregular schedules, and poor operational reliability. The association said that the complete suspension of services during the less crowded winter season further compounds the suffering of stranded travelers.

In a joint statement, KDNA Acting President Ilyas Thottathil and Acting General Secretary Syam Prasad urged the intervention of concerned authorities, calling on Kuwait Airways and Jazeera Airways to step in and launch direct flights to Kozhikode and Kannur. They stressed that such measures would bring much-needed relief to Malabar expatriates, who have faced limited options and soaring airfare costs for years.

The community leaders warned that unless action is taken, the suspension will not only inconvenience passengers but also highlight the long-standing neglect of the travel needs of Malabar expatriates in Kuwait.