Drone Strike Near Dubai Airport Causes Flight Disruptions

A drone strike near Dubai International Airport on Saturday caused significant flight disruptions, leading to temporary suspensions of operations. Verified footage shows an explosion near the terminal area, prompting Emirates and other airlines to halt flights. As the situation unfolded, confusion reigned among travelers, with many flights delayed or canceled. While some services have resumed, officials warn that schedules may continue to change based on security conditions. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

By Narendra Chaudhary Mar 8, 2026, 02:31 IST

Drone Incident at Dubai International Airport

A verified video by the BBC has surfaced, showing a drone strike occurring close to Dubai International Airport on Saturday, leading to the suspension of flights and significant disruptions for travelers. The footage captures an explosion followed by a substantial cloud of smoke near the terminal area of the airport. In the video, a voice can be heard mentioning "another drone," accompanied by a whirring sound just before the explosion. While the precise impact location remains unverified, the video suggests an explosion near Concourse A at the airport.

In response to the incident, Dubai Airports announced a temporary halt to flight operations as a precautionary measure. Emirates, the largest airline operating at the airport, also declared a suspension of all flights to and from Dubai while the situation was evaluated. The airline communicated to customers via X, stating, "All flights to and from Dubai have been suspended until further notice," although this message was later removed. This announcement led to confusion among travelers, resulting in delays, cancellations, and holds on flights. Passengers were advised to await direct confirmations from their airlines before proceeding to the airport.

Dubai International Airport ranks among the busiest in the world, having accommodated approximately 92.3 million passengers in 2024. Disruptions at this hub can significantly impact airline schedules, cargo operations, and long-haul connections globally. Later on Saturday, Dubai Airports announced a partial resumption of services. "Dubai Airports confirms partial resumption of operations from today, March 7, with some flights operating out of Dubai International (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC)," the airport operator stated.

Emirates also indicated that it had resumed limited services, advising passengers with confirmed bookings for afternoon flights to proceed to the airport. This includes travelers transiting through Dubai, provided their connecting flights are operational. Officials cautioned that flight schedules might continue to fluctuate based on airspace access and security conditions. Meanwhile, Donald Trump remarked that the US military was performing "phenomenally" against Iran, urging Tehran to surrender unconditionally. Dubai Airports promised to provide further updates as the situation evolves, while airlines encouraged passengers to rely on official communications rather than social media for information as operations gradually stabilize.