Dubai, UAE, Abu Dhabi News: Air defence system in UAE responds to missile threat amid Iran tensions

The US-Israeli war with Iran has now entered its sixth day. In the United Arab Emirates, some popular attractions have temporarily closed due to heightened security alerts across the region since the conflict began on February 28, affecting several Middle Eastern countries, according to Khaleej Times.

US Mission UAE security alert

US Mission in UAE issued a Level 3 security alert urging American citizens to depart immediately amid escalating Iran-US-Israel conflict, with embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General Dubai closed. UAE airspace faced disruptions but some flights have resumed on a limited basis.

Dubai Airport (DXB) status

DXB and UAE airports saw suspensions but now host limited services from five airlines, including Emirates operating about 100 flights for passengers, cargo, and aid. Indian carriers like Air India are running relief flights from Dubai. Operations are not fully resumed due to ongoing regional airspace restrictions.

Popular attractions

Global Village has announced it will remain closed until Friday, March 6, as a precautionary measure in line with official guidance, having been shut since March 1, 2026. Dubai Parks and Resorts will also stay closed on March 5 and 6, with visitors holding existing tickets advised to check the official website for updates.

Ain Dubai, the landmark observation wheel at Bluewaters Island, will remain shut on March 5 and 6, and guests with bookings have been urged to verify the latest information online before visiting. Jebel Jais and all its attractions, activities, and restaurants have been temporarily closed as a precaution, with operations set to resume once conditions are deemed safe.

Meanwhile, coordinated efforts between airport authorities and airline officials have provided some relief to stranded travellers who had been dealing with uncertainty in recent days due to widespread flight cancellations and delays.

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UAE Central Bank confirms financial sector stability amid regional tensions

The Central Bank of the United Arab Emirates on Thursday reassured that the nation’s banking and financial sector remains robust, stable, and well-equipped to handle ongoing regional developments, reported ANI.

In a press release, Khaled Mohamed Balama, Governor of the UAE Central Bank, stated that banks, financial institutions, and insurance companies throughout the UAE are functioning normally and delivering services efficiently without any interruptions nationwide.

Air France extends suspension of its flights to and from Dubai until March 6

Air France is extending the suspension of its flights to and from Dubai until March 6, as per Reuters.

Repeated explosions heard near Zayed International airport

Repeated explosions heard near Zayed International airport, according to a Reuters citing a witness.

UAE issues emergency alert

The UAE’s Ministry of Interior has issued an emergency alert throughout the emirates. The alert advises that “due to potential missile threats,” residents should “seek immediate shelter in the closest secure building", reported Khaleej Times. People have also been urged to avoid windows, doors, and open spaces.

‘Do not exit to film or record’

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority urged people to not exit to film or record. It said, “Proceed immediately to a safe place and remain until the all-clear.”

Director‑General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus on WHO suspending ops in Dubai hub

Ghebreyesus expressed serious concern about the confrontation that began on Saturday following US‑Israeli attacks on Iran, cautioning that the consequences extend beyond the countries directly involved. "Operations at WHO's logistics hub for global health emergencies in Dubai are currently on hold due to insecurity," AFP quoted him as saying.

UAE air defence system engage incoming Iranian missile and drone threats

The United Arab Emirates’ air defence systems are actively countering a barrage of missiles and drones launched from Iran, the Ministry of Defence has said. Officials explained that the loud noises being heard nationwide are the consequence of interceptions, reported Khaleej Times.

The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority took to X and mentioned, "Air defence systems are currently responding to a missile threat.”

Air Canada suspends flights to and from Dubai until March 22

Air Canada has suspended all flights to and from Dubai until March 22 and is planning to resume them on March 23, reported Reuters.

Aegean airlines suspends flights to and from Dubai, Abu Dhabi

Greece's largest carrier Aegean airlines has suspended flights to and from Dubai and Abu Dhabi until the evening arrivals of March 6, as per Reuters.

WHO suspends operations at Dubai's emergency logistics hub

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has suspended operations at Dubai's emergency logistics hub, reported Khaleej Times.

Flydubai resumes limited operations amid Middle East tensions

Flydubai has restarted flights across its network, though services are operating on a reduced schedule, a spokesperson said, reported Khaleej Times.

"We are continuously updating our schedule and adding more flights as airspace restrictions are lifted. We continue to monitor the situation closely," the spokesperson added.

The airline cautioned that some journeys may take longer than usual because of temporary rerouting of certain flight paths. Passengers have been urged not to head to the airport unless they hold a confirmed booking or have received official confirmation of a rebooked flight.

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company offers free data and calls to stranded UAE residents

Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company (Du) announced on Thursday that it is providing 15GB of free roaming data along with unlimited outgoing calls to UAE residents stranded abroad due to ongoing flight suspensions, according to a report by Khaleej Times.

The country’s second-largest telecom operator informed customers that it has automatically activated a complimentary 15GB roaming data package across the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The package also includes unlimited outgoing calls and 500 minutes for incoming calls.

The special offer takes effect from Thursday and will remain valid for three days.

UAE intercepts 6 missiles, says report

UAE air defence systems identified seven ballistic missiles on Thursday, March 5. Of these, six were successfully intercepted and destroyed, while one landed within the country’s territory, reported Khaleej Times. In addition, authorities detected 131 drones, intercepting 125 of them, while six fell inside the UAE.

Dubai private schools to go on spring break from March 9

Knowledge and Human Development Authority has announced that spring break for students, along with teaching and administrative staff across all private educational institutions in Dubai, will run from Monday, March 9, to Sunday, March 22, reported Khaleej Times, adding that classes and regular work schedules will restart on Monday, March 23 amid Iran tensions.

Debris from drone injures 6 people in Abu Dhabi

Debris from a drone left six people injured in an industrial zone of the Emirati capital Abu Dhabi on Thursday, reported AFP.

UAE hit by 842 drones as of Tuesday

According to UAE, as of Tuesday, it had been hit by 186 ballistic missiles, eight cruise missiles and 842 drones, reported Bloomberg.

More than 100 Emirates flights to depart from Dubai

More than 100 Emirates will depart from Dubai and return for March 5-6, according to Reuters citing airline' spokesperson.

Middle East tensions challenge Dubai’s dominance as a global aviation hub?

The intensifying conflict in the Middle East has highlighted the global aviation industry’s heavy dependence on a small number of key transit hubs, particularly Dubai, home to the world’s busiest international airport, according to Reuters. The closure of Gulf airspace sent immediate shockwaves through airline networks across the globe, disrupting routes and schedules far beyond the region.

Four decades after the Gulf’s commercial capital leveraged its strategic geographic position by launching Emirates with just two leased aircraft and two routes, Dubai has evolved into the heart of a vast international aviation network connecting 110 countries and handling approximately 454,000 flights annually.

Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths told Reuters last month, before US and Israeli strikes against Iran, "That we've got such a well-spread geographic business model and are well spread between visitors and those in transit suggests it's very robust and will continue to survive any geopolitical tension that exists, wherever it may be.”

Indian embassy in UAE issues advisory, asks citizens to remain vigilant

The Indian embassy in UAE has issued advisory, asking citizens to remain vigilant amid Middle East tensions. It also released helpline numbers.

Mixed accounts of passengers arriving at IGIA from UAE

Passengers arriving at Indira Gandhi International Airport from Dubai on Thursday shared mixed accounts of the situation in the UAE. While one described an atmosphere of panic, another said life appeared largely normal. However, both noted a sharp rise in airfares.

A passenger Rahul Saxena, who landed at IGI Airport from Dubai, shared there is a situation of panic in the region, according to ANI. "There is a situation of panic there. The sooner the government evacuates everyone, the better," Saxena said.

However, another passenger, Gautam Gupta, who also landed at IGI Airport from Dubai, said everything is normal in Dubai and they did not confront any issues. "Everything is normal in Dubai. We did not face any difficulties. The prices of the flights have increased," Gupta said.

SpiceJet to run 13 special flights from UAE on Thursday

SpiceJet will run 13 special flights from the UAE on Thursday to facilitate the return of passengers stranded amid the Middle East tensions, according to PTI.

"Of the 13 flights, 12 will operate from Fujairah and 1 will operate from Dubai. The airline will operate seven special flights to Mumbai, five special flights to Delhi and one special flight from Dubai to Mumbai," it said in a statement on Thursday.