“PV Sindhu stranded at Dubai airport amid airspace shutdown after US-Israel attack on Iran”

PV Sindhu has been left stranded at Dubai International Airport after widespread flight suspensions triggered by escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted air travel across the Gulf.

Sindhu was travelling to Birmingham for the prestigious All England Open, scheduled to begin on March 3, with Dubai serving as her transit hub. However, the sudden closure of regional airspace brought operations at one of the world’s busiest airports to a halt, leaving thousands of passengers — including the two-time Olympic medallist — stranded.

The Indian star shared updates from the airport on social media, posting a video on Instagram with the caption: “All flights suspended until further notice.” She later wrote on X that while the situation was unsettling, she and her team were safe.

“It’s hard to process what’s unfolding right now. Hearing the interceptions overhead and seeing how quickly everything escalated is terrifying. Dubai is a city I deeply love, which makes this moment even harder to comprehend,” Sindhu wrote.

She added that airport terminals were crowded with stranded travellers and families awaiting updates. “I am safe right now, stuck here with my team, and we are doing okay. Like everyone else, we are hoping for clarity soon. Praying for safety and peace for everyone affected,” she said.

Dubai airports suspend operations

Dubai Airports confirmed that operations at both Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airport were suspended until further notice due to regional airspace restrictions. Passengers were advised not to proceed to airports and to check directly with airlines for further updates.

Major UAE carriers also announced temporary suspensions. Emirates halted services to and from Dubai, while flydubai paused its network. Etihad Airways said departures from Abu Dhabi were temporarily suspended, with several inbound flights also cancelled.

With Gulf hubs serving as critical transit corridors linking Asia, Europe and Africa, the ripple effects on international travel have been immediate and widespread.

Indian basketball team also affected

The travel disruption has impacted other Indian athletes as well. The Basketball Federation of India confirmed that the Indian Senior Men’s National Basketball Team is currently stranded in Doha following their fixtures in the FIBA Basketball World Cup 2027 Asian Qualifiers.

With the situation continuing to evolve, uncertainty remains over whether Sindhu and other affected athletes will be able to resume their journeys in time for their respective competitions.