SECURITY — March 16, 2026

Flights Suspended at Dubai International Airport After Drone Strikes Fuel Tank

Flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended after a drone struck a fuel storage tank near the runway, sparking a fire that was brought under control with no casualties. Operations were halted as a precaution amid regional tensions, with passengers advised to check with airlines.

The Ehtebar Desk — originates with Khaama Press2 min read

Flights Suspended at Dubai International Airport After Drone Strikes Fuel Tank
Image courtesy Khaama Press

Dubai International Airport temporarily suspended flights after a drone struck a fuel storage tank near the runway, causing a fire, the Government of Dubai Media Office said.

The blaze was brought under control, and authorities confirmed no casualties or injuries despite the incident and brief disruption to operations.

All flights were halted as a precaution while emergency teams responded to the situation and secured the affected area, officials said. Passengers were advised to contact their airlines for updates on flight schedules and possible delays.

The incident comes amid rising regional tensions and a series of drone and missile strikes reported across parts of the Middle East in recent weeks. Airspace disruptions have affected several Gulf countries as security concerns linked to regional conflicts continue to impact aviation and energy infrastructure.

Last week, Emirates airline said it expected to gradually return to full flight capacity after operating with a reduced schedule due to regional airspace restrictions.

Airport operations are expected to resume normally after safety checks, while investigations continue into the source of the drone strike, authorities said.

Read the original reporting at Khaama Press

Reliability assessment

Single source provides direct, on-record attribution to named entity (Government of Dubai Media Office) with concrete, checkable details including specific location (Dubai International Airport), event description, no casualties, and operational impacts; not high-stakes despite regional context as officially attributed.

The source language reads straight.

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SecurityDubai International Airport, drone strike, UAE, Dubai Media Office, airport disruption

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