PV Sindhu stuck in Dubai as Iran conflict disrupts travel ahead of All England

PV Sindhu has been stranded in Dubai after escalating regional tensions forced a sudden suspension of flight operations, disrupting her travel plans ahead of the prestigious All England Open.

The two-time Olympic medallist was travelling to Birmingham for the tournament, set to begin on March 3, when operations at Dubai International Airport were halted due to widespread airspace closures across parts of the Middle East.

Sindhu shared visuals from the airport on Instagram, writing, “All flights suspended until further notice,” as thousands of passengers waited anxiously inside the terminals. She later posted a detailed message on X, describing the tense atmosphere while reassuring fans about her safety.

“It’s difficult to process what’s happening. The situation escalated so quickly. Dubai has always felt safe and vibrant, which makes this moment even harder to grasp,” she wrote.
“I’m safe right now, stuck here with my team, and we’re doing okay. The airport is chaotic, with many families stranded and waiting. We’re hoping things stabilise soon.”

Major UAE carriers suspend flights

Authorities confirmed that operations at Dubai International and Al Maktoum International Airport were suspended until further notice. Passengers were advised not to proceed to airports and to monitor airline updates closely.

Emirates temporarily halted services to and from Dubai, while flydubai also suspended its operations. Etihad Airways announced that departures from Abu Dhabi were paused for several hours, with some arrivals cancelled.

Given Dubai’s status as a critical global transit hub linking Asia, Europe and beyond, the disruption has had a cascading impact on international travel.

Other Indian athletes affected

The turmoil has also impacted other sporting contingents. The Basketball Federation of India confirmed that India’s 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 evolving rapidly, uncertainty looms over whether Sindhu and other affected athletes will reach their destinations in time for upcoming competitions.