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3 min readRanchiMar 5, 2026 06:26 PM IST
Atul Oraon, 37, said he and his wife, Kanchan Bara, had travelled to Dubai on February 27, but were unable to return as scheduled after flights began getting cancelled from February 28. (Express photo)
A couple from Ranchi, who travelled to Dubai days after their wedding, have said that they have been stranded there after their return flight was disrupted amid ongoing regional tensions, which led to the cancellation of several flights and the closure of airspace in parts of the region.
Speaking to The Indian Express, Atul Oraon, 37, said he and his wife, Kanchan Bara, had travelled to Dubai on February 27, but were unable to return as scheduled after flights began getting cancelled from February 28.
The couple got married on February 22 and planned the vacation in Dubai after a week. “We reached Dubai on February 27 via an IndiGo flight. Our return flight was scheduled for March 4, also an IndiGo flight,” Oraon said.
According to him, their travel plan was initially smooth, but disruptions began soon after they arrived.
“We were not that aware of the situation in Dubai. On February 27, our trip started normally. From the very next day, however, the attacks started and the war situation began. Currently, Dubai city is functioning normally, but airlines are disrupted, and the airports were initially shut down,” he said.
Atul said they have been trying to secure another ticket to return to India, but bookings have repeatedly been cancelled. “Now, we can see some flights are operating. News reports say SpiceJet may operate six or seven flights. When I checked, Etihad and Emirates flights were not showing, but Air India and Air India Express flights were visible. We found one indirect flight to Surat on Air India Express and immediately booked that,” he said.
Atul said they are hoping to travel on March 8.
Atul works as a senior manager at Bokaro Steel Plant, and his wife is a dentist posted with the Jharkhand government in Latehar district.
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Despite the flight disruptions, Atul said life in Dubai appears largely normal. “There was some panic earlier when all flights were cancelled. But now everything is normal. The city is operational. Stores and most tourist spots are open,” he said.
The couple had visited a few places during their stay. “We went for the desert safari, but apart from that, some places were closed. Otherwise, most tourist spots are open,” he said, adding that the traffic in the city is relatively less because incoming tourist numbers have dropped.
The couple first posted a video online, seeking assistance on X and tagging Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren and the Chief Minister’s Office, which went viral. “I also searched for helpline numbers and contacted them through WhatsApp,” said Atul.
In the video, the couple requests the central and state governments to bring them back to India safely.
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Atul further said that the situation remains fluid. “The situation is quite dynamic. If the flight on March 8 operates, we will come to India first. From there, travelling to any part of the country will not be difficult,” he said.
A government official from the Labour Department said they are aware of the couple’s situation and said that they would be returning on March 8.
Shubham Tigga is a Correspondent at The Indian Express, presently based in Pune, where he covers the intersections of infrastructure, labor, and the modern economy. His reporting focuses on civil aviation, urban mobility, the gig economy, and workers' unions, providing critical insights into how transit and commercial sectors impact the daily lives of citizens. Expertise & Background Before moving to Pune, he reported extensively from his home state of Chhattisgarh, where he focused on Indigenous (Adivasi) issues, environmental justice, and grassroots struggles in mainland India. This experience gives him a unique lens through which he analyzes the impact of large-scale infrastructure projects on local communities. Academic Foundation He is an alumnus of the prestigious Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), where he honed his skills in investigative reporting and ethical journalism. His academic training, combined with his field experience in Central India, allows him to navigate complex socio-economic landscapes with nuance and accuracy. You can reach out to him on LinkedIn ... Read More
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