Reports indicate that flights to Dubai have operated with significantly reduced passenger loads, reflecting heightened concerns over aviation safety. According to data cited by the Wall Street Journal, at least 39 passenger aircraft at Dubai International Airport either landed or departed within five minutes of a warning of incoming fire during the conflict. Similar patterns were recorded at other airports in the country, including six aircraft at Abu Dhabi airport and 12 at Sharjah airport.
At least five aircraft parked at airports in the Middle East have been damaged as a result of attacks or debris linked to intercepted projectiles. Two of these incidents involved an Emirates Airbus A380 and a Saudia Airbus A321, which were damaged while stationed at Dubai International Airport during the early stages of the conflict. No commercial passenger aircraft have been reported as shot down.
| Dubai International Airport hit by a drone (March 7th) |
Additional incidents were recorded at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, where debris from ballistic missiles struck three private jets parked on the ground. These events form part of a broader pattern of aviation-related risks linked to ongoing missile and drone activity across the region.
Dubai International Airport was temporarily closed last Monday after an Iranian drone struck a fuel tank, triggering a large fire. Flights were diverted, and access roads to the airport were closed as emergency services responded to the incident. Aircraft operated by Emirates, including long-haul services from Melbourne, Sydney, and Thiruvananthapuram, returned to their points of origin following the closure.
Services from Heathrow, Edinburgh, Manchester, and Dublin were also affected, with flights returning to departure airports. During the disruption, at least two drones were reported to have struck the airport, while some operations were redirected to Al Maktoum International Airport in Jebel Ali.
The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority stated that the temporary suspension of flights was implemented as a precautionary measure to ensure passenger and staff safety following the incident, which occurred at approximately 4am local time. Authorities described the event as a “drone-related incident,” noting that it caused minimal damage and no injuries.
Despite ongoing risks, airlines in the region have continued to operate a substantial number of flights. Data from Flightradar24 indicates that Emirates has been operating approximately 300 flights per day over the past two weeks, representing around 60% of its pre-conflict capacity. Combined operations by Emirates, Etihad, Flydubai, and Air Arabia have exceeded 11,000 flights since the conflict began.
To address safety concerns, authorities in the UAE have introduced designated flight corridors to support diversions and have deployed jet fighters to monitor and protect airspace, according to sources familiar with the operational measures.
