Two-time Olympic medallist PV Sindhu found herself stuck at Dubai Airport on her way to Birmingham, England, due to flight disruptions caused by rising tensions between Iran and the US-Israel. Sindhu, a former World No.1 in women’s singles, shared a video on Instagram depicting the crowded airport as passengers awaited updates on flight resumption.
India’s most successful badminton player, PV Sindhu, who was heading to the prestigious All-England badminton championship, posted on her official Instagram handle about the suspension of all flights until further notice. The Badminton Association of India (BAI) revealed that while other players had already reached Birmingham, Sindhu chose to travel on a morning flight, leading to her current situation in Dubai.
PV Sindhu, who clinched a silver medal in the 2016 Rio Olympics and a bronze in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, faced travel disruptions amidst the escalating crisis in the Middle East. The crisis, triggered by air strikes between Iran, Israel, and the US, has prompted threats of attacks on ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, causing widespread flight cancellations and operational halts at Dubai Airport.
Reports confirmed that men’s doubles pair Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty had successfully arrived in Birmingham for the upcoming All-England badminton championship scheduled from March 3-8. The ongoing tensions in the Middle East have significantly impacted air travel routes to Europe and Africa, with Dubai Airport suspending operations and numerous flight cancellations affecting routes transiting through the Gulf region.
