Mumbai: Renowned Bollywood actor Vineet Kumar Singh, celebrated for his powerful performances in films like ‘Mukkabaaz’ and the upcoming ‘Chhaava’, arrived safely in Mumbai early Tuesday morning, bringing an end to an anxious wait at Dubai Airport. His return was significantly delayed by an unexpected airspace shutdown over parts of the Middle East, a direct fallout of escalating geopolitical tensions in the region. Singh’s flight touched down in Mumbai at approximately 3:45 am IST, a welcome relief after hours of uncertainty.
The actor had kept his followers updated on social media as the situation unfolded. “I am at Dubai Airport. 9:23 pm Dubai Time. Immigration done. Waiting at the gate for my flight. Fingers crossed (sic),” he had posted on his Instagram story, his apprehension evident as he awaited clarity on his departure.
The airspace closure, it emerged, was triggered by heightened tensions following Iran’s missile attack on US bases in Qatar, including the crucial Al Udeid airbase on Monday, June 23, 2025. Reports of explosions in Doha led to Qatar swiftly shutting down its airspace, leaving a multitude of travellers, including Singh, in the dark. “We were clueless around 10:00 pm,” Singh recounted, highlighting the widespread confusion among passengers about when they might finally be able to resume their journeys.
Despite the initial chaos, Singh’s flight eventually commenced boarding, albeit with a minor delay. “Then we got the news that boarding started. Flight takeoff [was] little late but everything was fine. Emirates Airlines and Dubai airport staff helped everyone,” he shared upon his safe arrival in Mumbai, expressing gratitude for the assistance received during the challenging situation caused by the airspace restrictions.
This incident underscores the far-reaching impact of the ongoing West Asia conflict. The activation of US air defence systems at the Ain al-Assad airbase in Iraq further signals the gravity of the situation. As US President Donald Trump is expected to convene with his national security team to review these developments, concerns persist about a potential widening of the conflict and its implications for international travel and stability in the region.
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