‘Maharaja got me home’: Bengaluru founder ditches Emirates to come back to India from New York amid Gulf crisis

Bengaluru founder’s last-minute flight switch goes viral

A Bengaluru-based founder’s travel switch from Emirates to Air India has struck a chord online, amid widespread flight disruptions triggered by the Middle East crisis. The entrepreneur’s post, shared on social media, has gone viral as it reflects the uncertainty faced by international travellers navigating sudden cancellations and airspace shutdowns.

What CEO said?

In a post on X, Bengaluru CEO Ajay Rotti described how his return journey from New York took an unexpected turn. Rotti said he had travelled to the US for just two days and had planned to fly back to India via Dubai on Emirates, where he was scheduled to spend time at his company’s Dubai office.

However, those plans were abruptly shelved after his Emirates flight was cancelled just hours before departure. “I was to board an Emirates flight to Dubai two hours ago, which was cancelled. I was to spend two days in my Dubai office. That isn’t happening now,” he wrote, adding that he hoped the situation in Dubai would return to normal soon.

Rotti said he eventually managed to secure a last-minute, non-stop seat on Air India, calling the experience of seeing an Air India aircraft abroad “100 times more special” under the circumstances. “Now, the Maharaja is getting me home. And non-stop. Last-minute booking. Literally. Just boarded,” he posted, thanking the airline.

His experience mirrors the broader chaos unfolding across global aviation. As reported earlier, widespread airspace restrictions over Iran and large parts of the Middle East have forced airlines to cancel, divert or delay hundreds of flights, impacting passengers travelling between India, Europe, the Gulf and North America.

According to figures released by India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation, more than 400 domestic flights were cancelled in a single day, with hundreds more affected subsequently. International operations have also taken a hit, with multiple long-haul services cancelled or rerouted as airlines avoid restricted Middle Eastern airspace.

Air India alone has cancelled several international flights connecting Indian cities with destinations in Europe and the US, citing operational constraints linked to airspace closures. Gulf carriers, including Emirates and Qatar Airways, have also faced cancellations and diversions, leaving many passengers stranded at transit hubs across Europe.