Breaking news: Dubai International Airport halts all flights after drone attack

ZamaNdosi Cele|Published

Dubai's Civil Aviation Authority has temporarily suspended flights at Dubai International Airport.

Image: Unsplash

As conflict in the Middle East continues, Dubai’s Civil Aviation Authority has temporarily suspended flights at Dubai International Airport.

This decision follows a drone-related incident on March 16, during which a nearby fuel tank caught fire.

In a tweet shared on X by the civil aviation authority, officials stated that the suspension of flights was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff.

The tweet advised travellers to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights, assuring that further announcements would be made through official channels as soon as they become available.

According to media reports, this incident marks the third occurrence at Dubai International Airport since the Iran conflict began just over two weeks ago.

On February 28, Israel and the United States launched surprise airstrikes on multiple sites across Iran. In retaliation, Iran has launched attacks on its neighbours, including the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Bahrain, Kuwait and Qatar, where US military bases are located.

This escalating conflict has resulted in intermittent airspace closures and grounded flights, contributing to ongoing turmoil in the region.

Meanwhile, Qatar Airways announced on March 15 that it was operating a limited flight schedule to and from Doha.

"These flights are currently operating within a limited safe corridor defined by the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority. Therefore, the number of flights that can operate each day is extremely limited under the current operational conditions.

"Each flight requires careful planning and remains subject to regulatory approvals and airspace conditions," said the airline. 

Qatar has also faced airspace closures, with the airline indicating that it would resume operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority announces the full and safe reopening of Qatari airspace.