Dubai Airport Suspends Flights After Drone Strike Sparks Fire

March 16, 2029

Flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended early Monday after a drone strike caused a fire near a fuel facility, authorities confirmed.

The incident happened in the early hours of March 16 when a drone hit a fuel tank in the area, sending flames and thick smoke into the sky. Officials said no injuries were reported, but the airport stopped all arrivals and departures as a safety measure.

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension shortly before 5:30 AM local time (1:30 AM UK time) to keep passengers and airport staff safe.

In a statement, the Dubai Media Office explained that the pause was put in place while emergency teams evaluated the situation.

Travellers were advised to contact their airlines for the latest flight information. Authorities said further updates would be provided through official channels as the situation evolves.

Emirates airline also warned passengers not to go to the airport until further notice. The airline stated it would give updates when possible and emphasized that passenger safety is the top priority.

Flight tracking data showed that air traffic around Dubai was greatly affected. At one point early in the morning, only one aircraft was seen flying over the city, having departed from Sharjah International Airport, according to the flight monitoring service Flightradar24.

Several inbound flights were diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport, while others had to enter holding patterns off the coast of Dubai while waiting for clearance.

Authorities later confirmed that air traffic has started to gradually resume to selected destinations, though passengers are encouraged to check directly with airlines for the latest travel updates.

Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest aviation hubs in the world. Even short disruptions can impact thousands of travellers and global flight schedules.