Etihad cancels Delhi-Abu Dhabi flight after aircraft issue
The Boeing 787-9 was
scheduled to depart New Delhi at 9:15 pm and reach Abu Dhabi at 11:15 pm.
Flight tracking data recorded the service as cancelled after passengers had
boarded and were subsequently asked to leave the aircraft.
Travelers remained at the
airport for several hours before the cancellation was confirmed. Etihad had not
provided details about the specific fault at the time of reporting.
The cancellation occurred
amid wider disruptions affecting Gulf aviation, although reports from Delhi
attributed EY217’s cancellation to the aircraft issue rather than regional
airspace restrictions.
Separately, Riyadh’s King
Khalid International Airport experienced delays and cancellations on the same
day as regional air traffic conditions deteriorated. Flight tracking data classified
the disruption at its highest level.
Saudi authorities said
air defenses intercepted a ballistic missile aimed at Riyadh, while
international news agencies reported smoke near the airport. Officials said
there were no reported casualties or confirmed damage.
Etihad operates up to
four daily nonstop flights between Delhi and Abu Dhabi. The airline continues
to schedule EY217 on subsequent dates, indicating the route remains in
operation.
