Dubai airport temporarily stopped flight operations after a drone strike caused a fire, leading airlines including Air India to cancel flights
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A drone strike near Dubai International Airport caused a fire early Monday and forced authorities to temporarily suspend flight operations. The disruption affected several airlines, including Air India, which cancelled its Dubai flights for the day.
Officials in the United Arab Emirates said the drone struck a fuel tank near the airport area, which triggered the fire. Emergency teams from Dubai Civil Defence quickly reached the spot and began efforts to control the blaze.
Authorities later confirmed that the fire had been brought under control and did not spread to other important infrastructure. No injuries were reported in the incident.
Flights Suspended and Aircraft Diverted
Because the incident happened close to the airport, aviation authorities temporarily halted all flights at Dubai International Airport to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff.
Several incoming aircraft were diverted to nearby airports, including Al Maktoum International Airport.
Some flights that were already on their way to Dubai had to change course or return to their departure airports. A flight operated by Emirates from Thiruvananthapuram in India turned back because it could not land while the airport remained closed.
Authorities later began restoring limited flight operations after emergency teams confirmed the fire had been fully contained.
Air India Cancels Dubai Flights
Following the airport’s decision to suspend operations, Air India announced on X (Twitter) that its Dubai flights had been cancelled for the day.
In its official update, the airline said Dubai International Airport had temporarily suspended all flight operations to and from the airport.
Air India added that all Air India and Air India Express flights to and from Dubai were cancelled for the day as a result of the suspension.
The airline said it is offering affected passengers flexible travel options at no additional cost. Travellers can rebook their tickets for a future date or cancel their booking and receive a full refund.
The airline said it sincerely regrets the inconvenience caused by what it described as unavoidable operational constraints.
Assistance for Passengers
Air India said its teams are fully committed to helping affected passengers and ensuring stranded travellers are brought home safely as soon as possible.
The airline also advised passengers to contact its 24-hour customer support numbers for assistance with bookings and travel plans.
Passengers can reach Air India support at +91 11693 29333 or +91 11693 29999.
Air India Express Services Continue to Other Gulf Cities
While flights to Dubai were cancelled, Air India Express said some of its other services in the Gulf region would continue.
The airline confirmed that its ad-hoc flight operations to and from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah and Sharjah will continue as announced.
Passengers travelling with Air India Express can change or cancel their bookings by typing #GulfCrisis on Tia, the airline’s AI-powered digital assistant, on WhatsApp at +91 63600 12345.
Travellers can also manage their bookings through the official Air India Express website or the AIX mobile application.
Global Airlines Face Disruptions
The drone strike caused widespread disruption for international airlines because Dubai is one of the busiest aviation hubs in the world.
Several airlines cancelled or delayed flights after the airport temporarily suspended operations. Some carriers also diverted aircraft to other airports in the region.
Dubai International Airport connects flights between Europe, Asia and Africa and handles millions of passengers every year, so any disruption can affect global travel.
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Incident Linked to Rising Regional Conflict
Security experts say the drone attack is linked to the wider conflict in West Asia.
The conflict intensified after the United States and Israel carried out military strikes on Iran earlier this year.
In response, Iran launched missile and drone attacks targeting several locations across the Middle East.
Reports say hundreds of drones and missiles have been fired toward Gulf countries since the conflict began in late February. In total, more than 1,800 drones and missiles have reportedly been launched during the ongoing crisis.
UAE Increases Security
After the drone incident near Dubai airport, authorities in the United Arab Emirates increased security across the country.
Officials asked residents to remain calm and rely only on official updates for information. Authorities also warned people not to spread rumours or unverified information on social media.
Situation Remains Tense
Although the fire near Dubai airport has been controlled and some flight services have resumed, the situation across the region remains uncertain.
Security experts warn that airports, oil facilities and shipping routes in the Gulf region could remain at risk if tensions continue to rise.
For now, Gulf countries remain on high alert while airlines continue to closely monitor the situation and adjust flight schedules when necessary.
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