DUBAI, UAE – Dubai International Airport (DXB) has begun the process of resuming flight operations following a temporary total suspension of travel early Monday morning. The closure was triggered by a drone strike that impacted a fuel storage tank in the vicinity of Terminal 3, sparking a significant fire and a major security alert.
Dubai Civil Defense teams successfully contained the blaze, and authorities confirmed there were no injuries resulting from the incident. However, as a “precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff,” the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority halted all arrivals and departures for several hours.
Emirates Resumes Managed Operations
Emirates, the world’s largest international airline, has announced a gradual return to service. While the airport has officially “reopened,” travelers are warned that the schedule remains highly disrupted.
- Restart Time: Limited operations are expected to begin after 10:00 local time today.
- Cancellations: Despite the reopening, several flights from today’s schedule have been cancelled.
- Passenger Advice: Emirates has explicitly told passengers not to travel to the airport unless they have received a direct confirmation that their specific flight is operating.
- Diversions: Earlier in the morning, numerous inbound flights were diverted to Al Maktoum International (DWC) or neighboring hubs like Muscat.
Regional Context
This morning’s strike is the third drone-related incident at Dubai International since the end of February, amid escalating regional tensions. Security remains at its highest level, with police temporarily closing road and tunnel links leading to the airport to allow emergency vehicles clear access.
