Escalating conflict in West Asia has led to airspace closures in Dubai, stranding 84 MBA students and 4 faculty members from Pune's Indira School of Business Studies. All are safe and accommodated in a hotel in Bur Dubai. Additionally, 23 tourists from Thane district are also stuck.
On March 2, 2026, tensions in the Middle East escalated following the US and Israel's attack on Iran on February 28, which Iranian media confirmed killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. In retaliation, Iran launched strikes on US bases in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) territories. This prompted airspace closures in several countries, including Dubai, severely impacting Indian travelers.
Eighty-four students and four faculty members from Pune's Indira School of Business Studies (ISBS) were on a five-day study tour in Dubai. Forty students were scheduled to return on Saturday, and 44 on Sunday, but flights were canceled due to the closures. ISBS Dean Janardan Pawar stated, 'All are safe and in the hotel.' Chairperson Tarita Shankar emphasized that student safety is the priority and they are coordinating with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Civil Aviation. Faculty member Rahul Pathak added, 'The hotel conditions are good, food is available, and the outside situation is normal.'
Twenty-three tourists from Thane district, including 12 senior citizens, had traveled to Dubai on February 23 and were set to return on Sunday. The Pune district administration reported 10 more people stranded there. Similarly, an Air Arabia flight was diverted to Karachi, stranding eight Indians, including Krishnadas from Palakkad, Kerala, his wife Dr. Reshmi Menon, and their three-year-old daughter Smriti. They were en route from Baku to Kuwait. Norka Roots coordinated with the Ministry of External Affairs and planned a return via Colombo.
Air India suspended flights to the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Israel, and Qatar until March 2, 2359 IST. SpiceJet and Akasa Air also canceled services to UAE and other Gulf destinations. The Ministry of Civil Aviation's Passenger Assistance Control Room resolved 411 grievances. Helpline numbers: 011-24604283 / 011-24632987. Norka Roots launched a help desk for non-resident Keralites stranded in the Gulf.
