ICC Secures Charter Flight for West Indies Team Stranded by Airspace Closures
MUMBAI – The West Indies men’s cricket team is scheduled to fly home on a chartered flight this Friday following an intervention by the International Cricket Council (ICC). The squad was forced to remain in India after their T20 World Cup campaign concluded due to widespread flight cancellations caused by escalating conflicts in West Asia.
Flight Disruptions and ICC Intervention
Commercial transit hubs in Dubai and Doha have faced significant disruptions, leading to airspace closures that left the Caribbean side stranded in Kolkata. Following their Super 8 exit against India at Eden Gardens, the team was unable to secure immediate commercial passage back to the Caribbean.
Sources confirm that ICC Chair Jay Shah and senior ICC executives coordinated directly with Cricket West Indies (CWI) to resolve the logistical deadlock. Cricket West Indies issued a statement late Thursday confirming the development.
“During a high-level call earlier today, it was confirmed that a charter flight is currently being arranged for the team’s departure from India, with the expected departure scheduled within the next 24 hours,” the CWI statement read. “The departure time remains subject to final air traffic approvals.”
Player Frustration and Response
West Indies Head Coach Darren Sammy expressed the squad’s mounting frustration on social media platform X, posting, “I just wanna go home.” The delay extended the team’s stay significantly beyond their scheduled departure following the tournament exit.
Repatriation Status by Team
The airspace restrictions have affected multiple delegations attending the tournament. While the International Cricket Council prioritizes safe returns, teams are utilizing alternative hubs like Addis Ababa to bypass the conflict zones.
| Team | Current Status | Travel Route |
|---|---|---|
| West Indies | Departing Friday (Charter) | Direct Charter (TBC) |
| Zimbabwe | Departing in Batches | Via Addis Ababa |
| South Africa | Pending Confirmation | Likely via Ethiopian Airlines |
Alternative Routes for Zimbabwe and South Africa
Zimbabwe, who also exited during the Super 8 stage, have commenced their return journey in phases. Zimbabwe Cricket confirmed that the first group departed on Wednesday, with the final contingent scheduled to leave Friday afternoon. They are avoiding the Gulf hubs entirely, routing instead through Addis Ababa.
South Africa, following their semifinal loss to New Zealand, faces similar challenges. The ICC is currently negotiating travel arrangements, with Ethiopian Airlines emerging as the primary carrier option as major Gulf carriers like Emirates and Etihad work to gradually restore full operations.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has been providing local logistical support to the stranded teams ensuring accommodation and training facilities remain available during the delay.