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Indian CEO stranded in Kuwait as flight turns back mid-air amid conflict
Indian CEO stranded in Kuwait as flight turns back mid-air amid Middle East conflict: 'Pure chaos'
Indian CEO stranded in Kuwait as flight turns back mid-air amid Middle East conflict: 'Pure chaos'
An Indian CEO’s Delhi-New York flight turned back mid-air after airspace closures, leaving him stranded in Kuwait amid Middle East tensions.
Updated on: Mar 03, 2026 6:36 PM IST By Bhavya Sukheja Share via Copy link What was meant to be a routine business trip from Delhi to New York turned into a day of uncertainty for an Indian entrepreneur after escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted air travel across the Gulf. Varnwal estimated that close to 1,000 people were stranded. (LinkedIn/Sanjay Varnwal) Sanjay Varnwal, CEO and co-founder of Spyne, found himself stranded in Kuwait after his connecting flight to New York was forced to turn back mid-air due to sudden airspace closures amid the US-Iran conflict. In a detailed post on LinkedIn, Varnwal wrote that he had taken a 3am flight from Delhi to Kuwait and was waiting to board his 9am flight to JFK. “Everything felt completely normal when our flight took off from Kuwait at 8:45 AM on February 28th. I was just settling in, reading a book, totally unknown to what’s happening outside,” he wrote. Follow LIVE updates on the US Iran conflict here. The entrepreneur said that around 45 minutes into the flight, the pilot announced that Iraqi airspace had suddenly closed and the aircraft would have to return to Kuwait. “Was bit annoying at first… did not realise the mess I was getting into,” he wrote, adding that he initially assumed there was a technical issue and expected to land in New York only a few hours late. However, after landing back in Kuwait, confusion prevailed at the airport. According to Varnwal, airline staff had little information about when flights would resume, even as news reports began flashing updates about escalating conflict in the region. Varnwal said that Kuwait Airways later issued a revised departure time of 1:30 pm and reissued boarding passes. But hours passed without any movement. “Around 3pm, airline staff said that the planes are grounded and there is no way that flights can operate now. This is when the seriousness of the situation hit me hard. I realised - shit, I am stranded here now,” he wrote. (Also Read: 'Zero cash, no food or water': Mumbai man stranded at Moscow airport begs for help, Indian Embassy reacts)‘Pure chaos’
The entrepreneur said that while local passengers returned home, transit travellers remained at the airport. Varnwal estimated that close to 1,000 people were stranded. By 5 pm, the airline informed passengers that they would be moved to hotels. “It was pure chaos - over a thousand people, a fleet of buses, and police everywhere trying to keep the peace,” he said, praising the authorities for managing the situation. By 10 pm, Varnwal said that the passengers had been checked into 3-4 hotels across the city. “And this is how one of the most interesting days of my life ended. Now stuck here, waiting for the airspace to open, with war outside!” he wrote, thanking friends and the Indian Embassy for their support. (Also Read: Qatar business traveller stranded in Gujarat as Middle East escalation halts flights: ‘I need to fly back’) Notably, Varnwal’s experience comes as tens of thousands of travellers worldwide face disruptions due to widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. With rerouted flights and grounded aircraft, several passengers have reported being stranded at transit hubs across the Gulf. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Bhavya Sukheja Bhavya Sukheja is a Senior Content Producer at Hindustan Times with over 6 years of experience in digital journalism. She specialises in covering stories that reflect everyday human experiences, with a focus on viral videos, social media trends, and human-interest features that inform readers while sparking meaningful conversations. She loves chasing page views and finding stories that tug at readers’ heartstrings. Known for her strong news sense, Bhavya has a keen ability to spot emerging trends and craft angles that transform viral moments into impactful narratives. Her coverage spans pop culture, entertainment, global affairs, and the internet’s most talked-about topics, helping readers better understand the context behind what is trending online. Before joining Hindustan Times, Bhavya worked with Republic World and NDTV, where she developed her skills in real-time reporting and digital storytelling. Working in fast-paced newsrooms helped her build an editorial approach that prioritises accuracy, clarity, and audience engagement. Bhavya is driven by a curiosity about how people communicate and connect in the digital age. She is particularly interested in stories that highlight cultural shifts, shared emotions, and the evolving nature of online conversations. When she is not tracking trends or producing stories, Bhavya enjoys unplugging and spending time with her cat.Read More Business Trip Air Travel Us Iran Conflict Israel Iran War Us Iran War Kuwait Get Latest Updates on Trending News Viral News, Video, Photos and Weather Updates of India and around the world News / Trending / Indian CEO Stranded In Kuwait As Flight Turns Back Mid-air Amid Middle East Conflict: 'Pure Chaos' See LessWhat was meant to be a routine business trip from Delhi to New York turned into a day of uncertainty for an Indian entrepreneur after escalating tensions in the Middle East disrupted air travel across the Gulf.
Sanjay Varnwal, CEO and co-founder of Spyne, found himself stranded in Kuwait after his connecting flight to New York was forced to turn back mid-air due to sudden airspace closures amid the US-Iran conflict.
In a detailed post on LinkedIn, Varnwal wrote that he had taken a 3am flight from Delhi to Kuwait and was waiting to board his 9am flight to JFK. “Everything felt completely normal when our flight took off from Kuwait at 8:45 AM on February 28th. I was just settling in, reading a book, totally unknown to what’s happening outside,” he wrote.
Follow LIVE updates on the US Iran conflict here.
The entrepreneur said that around 45 minutes into the flight, the pilot announced that Iraqi airspace had suddenly closed and the aircraft would have to return to Kuwait. “Was bit annoying at first… did not realise the mess I was getting into,” he wrote, adding that he initially assumed there was a technical issue and expected to land in New York only a few hours late.
However, after landing back in Kuwait, confusion prevailed at the airport. According to Varnwal, airline staff had little information about when flights would resume, even as news reports began flashing updates about escalating conflict in the region.
Varnwal said that Kuwait Airways later issued a revised departure time of 1:30 pm and reissued boarding passes. But hours passed without any movement. “Around 3pm, airline staff said that the planes are grounded and there is no way that flights can operate now. This is when the seriousness of the situation hit me hard. I realised - shit, I am stranded here now,” he wrote.
(Also Read: 'Zero cash, no food or water': Mumbai man stranded at Moscow airport begs for help, Indian Embassy reacts)
By 5 pm, the airline informed passengers that they would be moved to hotels. “It was pure chaos - over a thousand people, a fleet of buses, and police everywhere trying to keep the peace,” he said, praising the authorities for managing the situation.
By 10 pm, Varnwal said that the passengers had been checked into 3-4 hotels across the city.
“And this is how one of the most interesting days of my life ended. Now stuck here, waiting for the airspace to open, with war outside!” he wrote, thanking friends and the Indian Embassy for their support.
(Also Read: Qatar business traveller stranded in Gujarat as Middle East escalation halts flights: ‘I need to fly back’)
Notably, Varnwal’s experience comes as tens of thousands of travellers worldwide face disruptions due to widespread flight cancellations and airspace closures amid heightened tensions in the Middle East. With rerouted flights and grounded aircraft, several passengers have reported being stranded at transit hubs across the Gulf.
Source: HindustanTimes
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