Sunday at 8: 30 a. m. ET — West Indies and South Africa were told they will depart India in the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, on a charter flight to Johannesburg, with West Indies expected to continue on to Antigua. The confirmation ends days of uncertainty triggered by restricted airspace in West Asia following the regional crisis.
The timing matters because several teams had been awaiting final approvals and alternative routings after the disruption; the changing travel plans,, forced organizers to arrange a charter and relay new schedules on short notice.
West Indies have been in Kolkata since losing to India in the Super Eight on March 1, while South Africa have been unable to leave after defeat to New Zealand in the semi-final on March 4.
Charter flight details and who is leaving
Officials confirmed the charter will carry the two knocked-out teams from Kolkata to Johannesburg on Tuesday, March 10, with the West Indies then travelling on to Antigua from Johannesburg. Both teams had earlier expected to depart on Sunday, March 8, but that plan did not materialize and formal confirmation of the revised date was given on Sunday afternoon.
Three members of South Africa’s squad — Keshav Maharaj, Jason Smith and George Linde — plus the team’s entire management flew out of India on Sunday and headed to New Zealand, where South Africa will play five T20Is starting on March 15. Other players and staff remained in Kolkata pending the charter that is now scheduled for early Tuesday.
Cricket World Cup stranding traced to West Asia airspace limits
The disruption that left both squads stranded was blamed on international airspace restrictions arising from security concerns in the Gulf region; officials described the situation as complex and fluid. That disruption affected usual connecting hubs between India and the Caribbean, prompting a high-level intervention to secure a safe return for the West Indies side.
West Indies coach Daren Sammy publicly expressed frustration about the delay on social media, writing that he wanted to go home and pressing for clearer updates. Several South African players, including Quinton de Kock and David Miller, also voiced displeasure on social platforms after the semi-final exit.
CWI and ICC coordination, and contrasting England departure
Cricket West Indies said that it had remained in constant dialogue with players, team management and the International Cricket Council while arrangements continued. The statement said a charter had been organised after a “high-level call” involving CWI, ICC officials, a representative of team management and a representative of the players, and reassured the public that every precaution was being taken for a safe return.
England’s team left Mumbai on Saturday evening, travelling directly to London; officials noted that journey was easier to arrange because there was minimal airspace disruption on routes between India and Europe. That contrast prompted criticism from stranded players and raised questions about routing options for teams heading to destinations reliant on Gulf hub connections.
For now, the confirmed departures give both West Indies and South Africa a clear pathway home, even as departure times remain subject to final air traffic approvals. If those approvals are completed as expected, the charter will depart Kolkata in the early hours of Tuesday, March 10, bound for Johannesburg.
The Cricket World Cup final between India and New Zealand at Ahmedabad’s Narendra Modi Stadium is scheduled for Monday at 12: 30 a. m. AEDT (Sunday at 8: 30 a. m. ET), a confirmed milestone in the tournament schedule that will proceed as planned.
