Dubai international airport has temporarily suspended its operations after a drone incident sparked a fire at one of the airport’s fuel tanks.
The Dubai Media Office – the public relations arm of the Dubai government – confirmed the incident took place early on 16 March. Writing on X, it said the fire impacted “one of the fuel tanks in the vicinity of Dubai international airport”.
There were no injuries reported, and the city’s civil defence agency says the fire has been brought under control.
Following the temporary halt in operations at Dubai international airport, home carrier Emirates says its flights have been suspended “until further notice”.
“Please do not go to the airport. Emirates will share updates when available,” the airline states.
The latest development puts an abrupt stop on Dubai’s plans to restore operations amid an ongoing war between Iran and the USA and Israel, which started on 28 February.
The UAE is among several Gulf Arab states to have faced drone and missile attacks from Iran, and has bore the brunt of the attacks. An Iranian missile attack on 28 February damaged a terminal building at Dubai international airport, injuring four workers.
Emirates, as well as other UAE operators like Flydubai and Etihad Airways, restarted limited commercial operations from 6 March, following the partial reopening of the country’s airspace.
