Flights at Dubai International Airport have been temporarily suspended for safety reasons following a drone incident that ignited a fire near the airport, authorities confirmed on Monday (Mar 16).
“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,” the city’s media office posted on X.
Civil defence teams managed to contain the fire, which resulted from an impact on one of the fuel tanks near the airport. No injuries have been reported, according to the media office.
Emirates airline also confirmed the temporary suspension of flights to and from Dubai in a post on X.
The Gulf region has endured more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks since the outbreak of the US-Israel-Iran conflict on Feb 28. Targets have included US diplomatic missions, military bases, oil infrastructure, ports, airports, hotels, and residential and office buildings.
The United Arab Emirates, which normalised relations with Israel in 2020, has borne the brunt of the attacks. On Wednesday, two falling drones near Dubai airport injured four people.
Iran has reportedly fired over 1,800 missiles at the UAE, though most were intercepted by air defence systems, disrupting travel in the major financial and transport hub.
Since the start of the conflict, the UAE’s defence ministry has reported six deaths — four civilians and two military personnel who died in a helicopter crash attributed to a technical fault.
The UAE, together with other Gulf states, has strongly condemned the attacks by Iran.
