Flights were temporarily suspended at Dubai International Airport on Monday following a drone incident that sparked a nearby fire, according to local officials.
In the early morning hours, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority halted flights as a precaution.
The Dubai Media Office later confirmed that the situation was “under control” and that the fire had not spread. However, several flights were diverted while emergency teams responded to the incident.
Passenger shares inside footage from Dubai International Airport moments after the Iranian drone strike pic.twitter.com/zJftZjmNKl
— Surajit (@Surajit_) March 16, 2026
Authorities announced a gradual resumption of flights to and from selected destinations at Dubai International Airport after the initial suspension. It remains unclear whether the drone was intercepted or what its intended target was.
Social media posts claimed that the drone had struck a nearby fuel tank, resulting in a large plume of black smoke near the airport; however, officials have not verified these reports.
Global aviation has faced significant disruptions over the past two weeks due to escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel, and Iran, which have prompted retaliatory actions throughout the region. Reports indicate that at least 2,000 people have died across the Middle East since the conflict escalated, with no indication that leaders such as Donald Trump or Benjamin Netanyahu are willing to ease their military stance.
Much of the Middle East’s airspace had been closed due to fears of missile and drone attacks, although airlines had recently begun to lift restrictions and resume services.
🇮🇷🇺🇸🇦🇪⚡️– Fuel depots near Terminal 3 inside Dubai International Airport, UAE, is still on fire after a drone attack. pic.twitter.com/4XFJgN2UVT
— MonitorX (@MonitorX99800) March 16, 2026
Monday’s incident is the third disruption at Dubai’s airport since the onset of the conflict, underscoring the growing impact of drone warfare on civilian infrastructure across the Gulf region.
Travellers around the world expressed their frustration over the latest flight disruptions on social media, seeking answers from airlines and airport officials. The United Arab Emirates, along with several other Gulf states, hosts major American military facilities, which Tehran has warned could become targets. Recent drone attacks have also reportedly struck civilian infrastructures, such as hotels, ports, and fuel depots, raising concerns that the conflict could escalate further across the region.
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