Dubai International Airport gradually resumes flights following drone incident

2026-03-16 - 11:34

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority (DCAA) announced on Monday the gradual resumption of certain flights to and from the Dubai International Airport. The move follows a temporary suspension implemented as a “precautionary measure” after a drone strike targeted a fuel tank in the airport’s vicinity. Earlier on Monday, the Dubai Government Media Office issued a statement confirming that the drone incident in the airport’s perimeter resulted in a strike on a single fuel tank. Officials emphasized that the situation is “under control,” noting that the fire did not spread and that no injuries were reported. Emirates Airline confirmed in a statement that it expects to operate a limited flight schedule starting after 10:00 am Dubai time, though several flights originally scheduled for Monday have been canceled. “Affected passengers will receive cancellation notices and will be informed of available rebooking options,” the airline added. The DCAA has advised all travelers to “contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flight status.” Additionally, Dubai Airports announced that some incoming flights have been diverted from Dubai International to Al Maktoum International Airport to manage traffic.