“Moments like these remind you how fragile normal life really is. Praying for safety and peace for everyone affected,” said PV Sindhu. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu
Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu was on Saturday (February 28, 2026) left stranded at Dubai airport en route to the prestigious All England Open badminton tournament, after flight operations were suspended owing to escalation of tensions in the West Asia.
The tournament is scheduled to start from next Tuesday (March 3, 2026).
Sindhu took to Instagram and posted a video showing a crowded airport with a caption: “All flights suspended until further notice.” Later, the Indian superstar shuttler said she was safe but stuck with her team. She added that the speed at which the tensions have escalated is “terrifying”.
“It’s hard to process what’s unfolding right now. Hearing the interceptions overhead and seeing how quickly everything has escalated is honestly terrifying,” Sindhu wrote on ‘X’.
“So many disturbing videos are coming to light, and this is sadly the reality of what is happening. Dubai is a city I deeply love, a place that has always felt safe and full of life, which makes this moment even harder to comprehend.
“To everyone who has been messaging and checking in, thank you, it truly means a lot. I am safe right now, stuck here with my team, and we are doing okay as the situation around the war with Iran continues to evolve,” she added.
Sindhu said that airports are chaotic with many families “stranded and waiting”.
“Airports are chaotic, with many families stranded and waiting, all of us just hoping we get past this soon. I’m sure the authorities are doing everything in their power, and like everyone here, we’re holding on to patience and hope,” she wrote.
“Moments like these remind you how fragile normal life really is. Praying for safety and peace for everyone affected.” The U.S. and Israel launched a major offensive on Iran on Saturday.
The military strikes have led to a closure of air space in the Gulf region and caused disruption to several flights, including Emirates and Air India.
Air India cancelled all its flight to and from the Gulf region, mainly to Abu Dhabi, Dammam, Doha, Dubai, Jeddah, Muscat, Riyadh, and Tel Aviv, Israel, the airline said in a statement posted on ‘X’.
The Dubai airport too suspended all operations indefinitely due to airspace closures following missile strikes involving the U.S., Israel and Iran.
Published – March 01, 2026 06:19 am IST
