A drone strike occurred near Dubai International Airport (DXB) on March 16, 2026, igniting a fuel tank and leading to immediate safety concerns. As a result, all Emirates flights to and from the airport were briefly cancelled, significantly impacting travelers and operations.
The incident unfolded when Emirates flight EK24, which had departed from Edinburgh at 9:30 PM, was forced to divert back to Edinburgh after the strike. The flight was scheduled to land in Dubai at 8:50 AM but instead returned to Edinburgh, landing at 6:48 AM GMT.
In response to the drone strike, Dubai Civil Defence teams quickly contained the blaze, and fortunately, no injuries were reported. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced that some flights would gradually resume after the temporary suspension, with Emirates expecting services to resume by 10 AM local time.
Emirates issued an apology for the disruption, stating, “Unfortunately, some flights from today’s schedule have been cancelled,” and emphasized that “the safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority.” Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights.
This incident is part of a broader pattern, as Dubai has recently been targeted in drone and missile attacks linked to the ongoing Iran war. The situation remains tense, and authorities are on high alert.
The Dubai Media Office confirmed the drone incident, stating, “A drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) affected one of the fuel tanks.” As the situation develops, further updates from Emirates and local authorities are expected.
Details remain unconfirmed regarding the origin of the drone strike and whether any specific group was responsible. The international community is closely monitoring the situation as it unfolds.
