Dubai Airport gradually resumes flight operations after drone attack triggers fire | 10 updates
Following an Iranian drone attack, a significant fire erupted near Dubai International Airport, leading to temporary flight suspensions. Authorities confirmed no injuries. Here's what we know so far.
Dubai airport on Monday, 16 March, said that it is gradually resuming flight operations after a drone attack near the facility triggered a massive fire. The incident led several airlines to suspend or divert their flights.
A fire incident was reported near Dubai International Airport on Monday after Iranian drones targeted the facility. The attacks come shortly after Iranian state TV warned of strikes on specific targets in Dubai and Doha.
"A drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) affected one of the fuel tanks", the Dubai media office said on X.
Since the outbreak of the US-Israeli war on Iran on 28 February, Gulf Arab states have been hit by more than 2,000 missile and drone attacks.
The targets of such strikes include US diplomatic missions and military bases, as well as critical Gulf oil infrastructure, ports, airports, hotels and residential and office buildings, Reuters reported.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE), which normalised relations with Israel in 2020, has been among the Gulf nations affected by recent retaliatory strikes by Iran.
Here are 10 things to know about the incident
— A massive fire broke out near Dubai International Airport on Monday following an Iranian drone attack, with several videos circulating online showing flames engulfing parts of the area.
— As per the official report, no casualties or injuries have been reported in the impacted area.
— The fire started after one of one of the fuel tanks was impacted by the drone attack in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, Dubai officials confirmed.
— The damaged fuel tanks forced aircraft to circle outside the airport while emergency teams responded, Bloomberg reported.
— Dubai's civil defence teams have successfully contained the fire, shortly after the incident came to light, Dubai Media Office confirmed.
— All flights from the Dubai airport were temporarily suspended, as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of staff and passengers, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced.
— Emirates airline, the largest carrier operating out of Dubai’s busiest airport, also announced that it was temporarily suspending flights to and from Dubai.
— In an X post, Dubai Airport announced the diversion of some flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC).
— Traffic has been temporarily closed on Airport Road and the Airport Tunnel, Dubai police said on X, advising drivers to use alternative routes.
— Dubai Media Office said on X that the incident near Dubai Airport remains under control, with no extension of fire.
What should flight passengers do?
As several flights have been affected by the incident, Dubai officials have advised travellers to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates on flight status and other information.
Meanwhile, further updates will be announced through official channels as soon as they become available, they added.
Watch video of a drone hitting a US base
About the Author
Eshita Gain is a digital journalist at Mint, where she joined in May 2025. She writes on corporate developments, personal finance, markets, and business trends, with a focus on delivering timely and relevant stories to a broad audience. <br><br> While her core beat lies in business and finance, she is not confined to a single niche and frequently explores stories across domains, including international relations and policy developments. <br><br> She holds a postgraduate diploma in business and financial journalism by Bloomberg from the Asian College of Journalism (ACJ), Chennai. During her time there, she received rigorous training in tracking financial data, interpreting corporate filings, and reporting on business developments. She has pursued her graduation from St. Joseph’s University, Bengaluru in a multi-disciplinary course. Her majors included Journalism, International Relations, peace and conflict studies. <br><br> Eshita has previously worked in digital marketing, which enables her to write SEO friendly copies that are clear and engaging. <br><br> Her primary interest lies in breaking down complex subjects and writing clear, accessible copies that inform readers. She aims to bridge the gap between technical financial language and everyday understanding. Outside the newsroom, Eshita enjoys reading non-fiction, and exploring new places, constantly seeking fresh perspectives and stories beyond headlines.