Flights at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended on Monday after a drone struck a fuel tank near the airport, triggering a fire and prompting authorities to activate emergency safety protocols.
Airport authorities announced the suspension as a precautionary step to ensure the safety of passengers and staff while emergency teams responded to the incident. Dubai Airports confirmed the temporary halt in operations through an official update, advising travellers to check with their respective airlines for the latest flight information.
In a statement posted on X, Dubai Airports said that flights at DXB had been temporarily suspended as a safety measure and that further updates would be shared once the situation was assessed. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority also advised passengers to remain in contact with airlines for real-time updates regarding departures and arrivals.
The incident occurred after a drone struck a fuel tank in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport, leading to a fire that triggered an immediate response from emergency services. According to officials, Dubai Civil Defence teams were quickly deployed to the site to contain the blaze and secure the area.
Authorities reported that the fire was brought under control following the intervention of emergency responders. Officials confirmed that no injuries were reported during the incident and that safety measures were activated across the surrounding area to prevent further risk.
The temporary shutdown of flight operations disrupted several scheduled services, including international flights bound for Dubai. One such flight, Emirates flight EK533 from Kochi, was forced to return to its point of origin after the closure of the airport.
According to a spokesperson for Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), the Emirates aircraft departed Kochi at 4:30 am carrying 325 passengers and crew. While en route, the aircraft was instructed to turn back after authorities announced the sudden suspension of operations at Dubai International Airport.
The aircraft later returned safely to Kochi following the directive. Airport authorities in Kochi confirmed that the decision was taken due to the temporary shutdown of Dubai airport operations triggered by the incident.
Officials in Dubai continued to monitor the situation while coordinating with aviation and emergency agencies to ensure the safety of airport infrastructure and nearby facilities. Authorities said updates regarding the restoration of flight services would be communicated through official channels.
Separately, the United Arab Emirates defence ministry reported six deaths since the beginning of the ongoing conflict affecting the region. The fatalities include four civilians and two military personnel. According to officials, the two soldiers died in a helicopter crash linked to a technical issue.
Authorities have not indicated any direct connection between the airport incident and the wider conflict situation. Investigations into the drone strike and the circumstances surrounding the fuel tank fire are expected to continue.
Dubai International Airport remains one of the world’s busiest aviation hubs, and any disruption to its operations has significant implications for regional and international air travel. Officials are expected to issue further advisories as the situation develops and flight operations gradually return to normal.
