DUBAI, UAE – Dubai International Airport (DXB) experienced a temporary shutdown of flight operations early Monday morning due to a fire caused by a drone strike on a fuel tank in the airport’s vicinity. The incident led to the suspension of all flights as a precautionary measure, with authorities working swiftly to contain the blaze. No injuries were reported in the attack.
The fire, which broke out around 4 a.m. local time, was brought under control by sunrise. Dubai Civil Defence teams were immediately deployed and successfully contained the fire, ensuring the safety of passengers and staff. While the airport’s main operations were halted, some flights were diverted to the nearby Al Maktoum International Airport.
In the wake of the incident, Emirates, a major airline operating from Dubai, initially advised customers to stay away from the airport and announced the suspension of all its flights. Later, the airline stated that it expected to operate a limited schedule. Similarly, Air India announced the cancellation of all its flights to Dubai for the day due to the suspension of operations at DXB.
This marks the third drone-related incident at Dubai International Airport since Iran began its series of attacks on Gulf nations on February 28. Previous incidents included two drones falling near the airport on March 11, and damage sustained on the first day of the conflict. The attacks are part of a broader pattern of escalating regional tensions, with Gulf Arab states reporting over 2,000 missile and drone attacks targeting various infrastructure since late February.
Authorities announced the gradual resumption of some flights to selected destinations later in the day, indicating a return to normalcy. The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region and their impact on global aviation, with widespread flight disruptions, rescheduling, and rerouting occurring across the Middle East. The crisis has also contributed to a rise in fuel prices.
