A drone attack near Dubai International Airport on Monday sparked a fire and forced authorities to temporarily suspend flights at one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs. Officials said the blaze was quickly contained and no injuries were reported.
According to the Dubai media office, a drone incident in the vicinity of the airport struck one of the facility’s fuel tanks, triggering the fire.
“A drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport affected one of the fuel tanks,” authorities said in a post on X.
Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the temporary suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff. Travellers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding…
— Dubai Media Office (@DXBMediaOffice) March 16, 2026
Emergency crews responded swiftly and brought the fire under control. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported.
Flights suspended and diverted
Following the incident, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority temporarily suspended flights at Dubai International Airport as a precaution to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff.
Several flights were diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport, located about 20 miles from the main airport, according to Dubai Airports.
Police also temporarily halted traffic on roads and tunnel links leading to the airport while emergency teams managed the situation.
Authorities did not immediately say when normal flight operations would resume.
Emirates suspends flights
In response to the disruption, Emirates airline announced the temporary suspension of all flights to and from Dubai.
The airline advised passengers not to travel to the airport until further notice and urged travelers to contact their airlines for the latest updates on flight schedules.
Emirates said additional information would be shared once more details become available, emphasizing that the safety of passengers and crew remains its top priority.
Monday’s attack marks the third drone-related incident reported near Dubai International Airport since Iran began launching attacks on Gulf countries on February 28.
