Dubai International Airport Resumes Limited Operations After Drone Attack
Dubai International Airport has resumed operations on a limited schedule following a drone attack that struck a fuel tank near the facility on Monday, March 16, 2026. The incident forced a temporary suspension of flights at one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs as authorities responded to the fire.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed that civil defense teams successfully contained the fire resulting from the impact to one of the fuel tanks in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, with no injuries reported. Some flights were diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport, while others were cancelled as the situation unfolded.
The disruption comes amid broader regional tensions, with the UAE’s Defense Ministry reporting that air defenses have intercepted more than 300 ballistic missiles and 1,600 drones since late February.
Major carriers including:
- Air France
- Emirates
- Gulf Air
- IndiGo
- Qatar Airways
have faced flight cancellations due to the landing suspensions. British Airways has extended its temporary reduction to Middle East flight schedules, affecting services to:
- Abu Dhabi
- Amman
- Bahrain
- Doha
- Dubai
- Tel Aviv
Source: CNBC