The West Indies team is to return home via commercial flights from India after a “distressing” wait following their exit from the men’s T20 World Cup.
West Indies have been stuck in Kolkata since they were eliminated from the tournament on 1 March amid travel disruption caused by the conflict across the Middle East.
The International Cricket Council (ICC) had been due to arrange a charter flight for both West Indies and South Africa, but Cricket West Indies (CWI) said this had been “repeatedly delayed”.
“Ongoing uncertainty surrounding the ICC-organised charter, as a result of global tensions and aviation regulations, made the situation increasingly distressing,” said the CWI.
“In the interest of the wellbeing 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.”
The ICC said in a statement on Wednesday that it was “managing all additional logistics, including accommodation, as a result of these unforeseen travel disruptions”.
It said four South Africa players and five family members had boarded flights home, with the 29 remaining members of their contingent “scheduled to depart in the next 24 hours”.
The ICC also said that nine members of the West Indies contingent had departed and the remaining 16 were booked on flights departing India “in the next 12 hours”.
The ICC has been criticised by players from West Indies and South Africa for their failure to adequately resolve the issue.
England, who lost their semi-final on Thursday, flew home on Saturday, leading to accusations of bias directed at the ICC which were “categorically” denied by cricket’s global governing body.
BBC Sport has contacted Cricket South Africa to establish their plans.
