Sunday 01 / March / 2026
New Delhi: Several passengers were left stranded at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport amid flight disruptions and cancellations due to the evolving geopolitical situation in the Middle East.
The disruptions follow due to widespread airspace closures across parts of the Middle East, affecting all international flight routes.
One of the stranded passengers at the IGI airport expressed his frustration over constant flight delays and cancellations and said he had been waiting for 14 hours but still had no update regarding their flight.
"I was supposed to fly to Saudi from Delhi, but my flight was cancelled. We have been waiting for 14 hours, but we have not heard anything yet. It is becoming very difficult," said the passenger.
Rashid Khan, one of the stranded passengers, told ANI that the airport authorities cited the ongoing conflict as the reason behind the cancellation.
"The reason the airport authority gave me was the Iran-Israel war. My flight is cancelled," he said. Khan was scheduled to travel from Delhi to Bengaluru and onward to Abu Dhabi. "They gave me the option of another city. I chose my city. My route was Delhi to Bangalore and Bangalore to Abu Dhabi. Now it is cancelled," he added, expressing frustration over the sudden change in plans.
Another passenger at the airport said uncertainty continues over when operations will resume. "Authorities are saying that the flights will not be resumed until the ceasefire is in place there. We have to go there. Our office and everything are there. We are going to Italy directly from Bahrain. Now, there is no flight for Bahrain," the passenger said.
Indian Embassy taking care of her in Dubai: PV Sindhu's father
PV Ramana, Indian star badminton player PV Sindhu's father, said that his daughter confirmed that the Indian Embassy in Dubai is taking care of her amid the Israel-Iran tensions and that they arranged accommodation for her in a hotel.
Speaking to ANI over the phone, PV Ramana said that he had spoken to PV Sindhu around 3 AM on Sunday. He shared that she told him the Indian Embassy in Dubai is looking after her and has arranged for her to stay in a hotel.
"I spoke with my daughter early this morning around 3 am. She said the Indian Embassy is taking care of her, and they've put her up in a hotel," PV Sindhu's father told ANI.
Earlier, the two-time Olympic medalist PV Sindhu posted on X on Saturday night
Earlier, two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu shared a post on X on Saturday night, expressing fear and concern over the Israel-Iran conflict. She described hearing interceptions overhead and seeing disturbing visuals, saying it was frightening to witness such events in Dubai.
Sindhu thanked those who checked in on her and assured them that she is currently safe but stranded in Dubai.
In a post on X, Sindhu wrote, "It's hard to process what's unfolding right now. Hearing the interceptions overhead and seeing how quickly everything has escalated is honestly terrifying. 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."
PV Sindhu prayed for the safety of affected families and said that she was safe now, stating, "To everyone who has been messaging and checking in, thank you; it truly means a lot. I am safe right now, stuck here in Dubai with my team, and we are doing okay as the situation around the war with Iran continues to evolve. The Airport is chaotic, with many families stranded and waiting, all of us just hoping we get past this soon. Moments like these remind you how fragile normal life really is. Praying for safety and peace for everyone affected," she added.
