West Indies players to fly home from Kolkata on commercial flights

South Africa's travel arrangements, however, remain unclear

Cricket West Indies (CWI) has made arrangements for the West Indies players and coaching staff to fly back home from India on commercial flights. The squad had been stuck in Kolkata since the team's exit from the T20 World Cup on March 1, with the crisis in West Asia leading to repeated delays in the ICC's attempts to fly them home on chartered flights.

CWI has confirmed that some members of the West Indies squad have already made arrangements to fly back. Arrangements have been made for the others to depart on Tuesday or Wednesday.

The travel arrangements of the South Africa squad, which was knocked out on March 4, remains as yet unclear.

"As is customary for both men's and women's ICC World Cups, all travel and accommodation arrangements for participating teams are coordinated and managed by the ICC," a CWI statement released on Tuesday said.

"The charter flight, intended to transport both the West Indies and South Africa teams, was repeatedly delayed. After completing play, the West Indies squad remained in India for nine (9) days awaiting travel. However, ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ICC-organized charter, as a result of global tensions and aviation regulations, made the situation increasingly distressing.

"In the interest of the well-being and safety of its players and support staff, Cricket West Indies advised the ICC that it was no longer prudent to continue waiting on the charter arrangements, which remain uncertain. Multiple approaches have since been made through CWI, players, and other partners, in coordination with the ICC, to secure commercial travel to facilitate the squad's safe return. It is important to note that some players and staff have already departed, with the remaining members scheduled to depart today, Tuesday, 10th March, and tomorrow, Wednesday, 11th March 2026.

"Cricket West Indies appreciates the concern and interest of fans and key stakeholders in the resolution of this matter and wishes to thank all parties for their support and patience."

The West Indies and South Africa squads were originally scheduled to leave over the weekend, but received communication on Sunday (March 8) morning from the ICC, which had booked a charter flight for them, departing Kolkata at 2.30am on Tuesday, March 10. The flight was meant to stop in Johannesburg before proceeding to Antigua.

It is understood, however, that the ICC told the teams on Monday morning that the flight had been cancelled. Later on Monday, the teams were informed their charter flight was set for 2pm on Tuesday. That flight was also cancelled, an ICC email informed the teams, because airports in both destinations "issued a notice to all charter operators that any ad-hoc charter flight will not be permitted to refuel until further notice. As a result charter is currently unable to take off until this matter is resolved."

For more than a week, West Indies and South Africa have been held up in India long after their respective World Cup campaigns ended, due to the West Asia crisis leading to airspaces getting closed or limited. Players and coaching staff from both teams have aired their frustration over this situation on social media.

The ICC has not issued an official statement on the West Indies and South Africa situations.