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”.
Flights to remain out of West Asia airspace after conflict breaks out; DGCA issues urgent safety advisory valid until March 2
“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'.
