Indian founder's flight diverted mid-air after escalating Middle East tensions
India Today
Varun Krishnan, the founder of FoneArena, was onboard a Qatar Airways flight headed to Barcelona when the pilot made a sudden announcement of return due to escalating military tensions in the Middle East.
An Indian entrepreneur’s flight to Barcelona was forced to turn back mid-air after Iraqi airspace was abruptly closed amid escalating military tensions in the Middle East.
The unexpected diversion, announced by the captain during the journey, is now part of a much larger aviation crisis that has disrupted thousands of travellers worldwide.
Varun Krishnan, the founder of FoneArena, was onboard a Qatar Airways flight headed to Barcelona when the pilot made a sudden announcement over the public address system. In a video later shared on X, the captain is heard informing passengers that the aircraft would be diverting back to Doha because Iraqi airspace had been shut.
“On a Qatar Airways flight to Barcelona and the captain just came on PA to announce diversion back to Doha as Iraq airspace is closed,” Krishnan wrote while posting the clip.
Watch the video:
On a @qatarairways flight to Barcelona and Captain just came on PA to announce diversion back to Doha as Iraq airspace is closed. #MiddleEastConflict pic.twitter.com/Xcz5z06ZBJ— Varun Krishnan (@varunkrish) February 28, 2026
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