BENGALURU — India’s star shuttler and two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu has safely returned to her home in Bengaluru after being stranded at the Dubai International Airport due to the ongoing military escalation between Israel and Iran. Taking to X (formerly Twitter) on Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Sindhu confirmed her arrival, expressing relief after a period of intense uncertainty that saw thousands of travellers grounded across the Middle East.
Back home in Bangalore and safe 🙏
The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I’m truly grateful to be back to my house. A heartfelt thank you to the incredible ground teams, Dubai authorities, airport staff, immigration, and every single person who stepped up and…
— Pvsindhu (@Pvsindhu1) March 3, 2026
“Back home in Bangalore and safe. The last few days have been intense and uncertain, but I’m truly grateful to be back at my house,” Sindhu wrote in her post. The badminton icon was en route to the United Kingdom to compete in the prestigious All England Open Badminton Championships when her transit through Dubai was interrupted by the sudden suspension of flight operations. The closure of regional airspaces following the February 28 strikes on Iran had left her, along with many other international athletes and commuters, stuck at the terminal for several days.
Sindhu extended her gratitude to the Dubai authorities, airport staff, and the Indian consulate for their efforts in facilitating her return during the crisis. Her safe arrival comes as flight operations between the UAE and India have begun a limited and cautious resumption. While the disruption has impacted her immediate training schedule for the All England Open, the shuttler’s return marks a significant relief for the Indian sporting community, which had been closely monitoring the safety of its top athletes caught in the regional volatility.
