The sound of explosions has been replaced by the sound of landing gear on Indian soil. After days of chaos triggered by the Israel–Iran conflict, the first Abu Dhabi to Bengaluru flight touched down safely, bringing back anxious passengers who had been stranded in the UAE. Some described hearing blasts around their hotel as missiles were intercepted overhead. Airlines like Etihad arranged hotel stays, while Emirates resumed limited services to India. Airports in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi received some of the first returning flights. IndiGo has also announced special relief operations from Jeddah, while Air India continues to monitor airspace conditions. The crisis followed US–Israel strikes on Iran and retaliatory attacks, leading to widespread airspace closures. For thousands of Indians in the Gulf, the ordeal highlights how distant conflicts can quickly hit close to home.