PV Sindhu Stranded as Flights Suspended Following Middle East Conflict

Double Olympic medallist PV Sindhu is currently stranded at Dubai International Airport after flight operations were suspended due to escalating tensions in the Middle East following strikes by the US and Israel on Iran. The disruption casts a shadow over Sindhu’s preparations for the prestigious All England Open, scheduled to begin on Tuesday.

Flight Disruptions and Travel Advisories

Sindhu, en route to Birmingham for the All England Open, shared a video on her Instagram story depicting a crowded airport and lengthy queues, with the caption, “All flights suspended until further notice.” The suspension impacts not only Sindhu but thousands of passengers traveling through one of the world’s busiest transportation hubs.

Dubai Airports has confirmed the suspension of all flights at both Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport, advising passengers not to travel to the airport according to India Today. Emirates and flydubai have temporarily halted all operations due to multiple regional airspace closures.

Impact on Indian Athletes

While Sindhu is affected, other Indian athletes have experienced varying degrees of disruption. The men’s doubles duo of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty successfully reached Birmingham before the airspace closures, with Shetty posting on Instagram, “Safely landed in Birmingham before US struck Iran.” The Bridge reports that doubles coach Tan Kim Her and shuttler Dhruv Kapila also arrived in Birmingham.

The Indian men’s basketball team is also facing difficulties, currently held up in Doha, Qatar, due to the airspace closure. Their travel to Lebanon for the 2027 FIBA World Cup Asian Qualifiers has been cancelled, and they are seeking alternative routes back to India.

Regional Airspace Restrictions

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation has issued an urgent safety advisory, valid until March 2, 2026, urging all airlines to avoid flying over Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman. The Indian Express

Sindhu’s Team and Tournament Prospects

Sindhu is traveling with her personal team, including a physio, Indonesian coach Irwansyah, and a strength and conditioning coach. The extent of the disruption to her All England Open campaign remains uncertain, pending the resumption of flight operations.

More to follow…