Flights from Dubai have been disrupted once again after a drone attack sparked a fire near the emirate’s international airport — one of the busiest in the world.
The Dubai Media Office said civil defence teams had ‘successfully contained the fire’ and that no injuries had been reported so far.
Some flights were diverted to Al Maktoum international airport, the office said on X.
Dubai’s Civil Aviation Authority announced the temporary suspension at around 1.30am ‘as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff’.
Meanwhile, the UK Foreign Office continues to warn against all but essential travel to the UAE amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East.
It also advises against all but essential travel to Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar.
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Tensions in the region remain high more than two weeks after the US and Israel launched a ‘major military operation’ against Iran.
If you’re travelling to Dubai or a neighbouring emirate soon, here’s what you need to know.
What’s happened in Dubai since the US-Israeli attack on Iran?
In normal times, Dubai is one of the world’s most visited cities. More than 19.5 million people visited in 2025 to see its skyscrapers, relax on the beach or stay in some of the world’s most luxurious hotels.
However, Dubai’s location, across the Gulf from Iran, as well as its many places of US interest, mean it has been feeling the heat.
Airports, skyscrapers and luxury hotels including the iconic Burj Al-Arab have been hit by falling debris from missiles.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defence has reported six deaths since the war began on February 28, including four civilians and two military personnel, who died in a helicopter crash blamed on a technical malfunction.
Can I fly to Dubai right now?
Flights to and from Dubai International Airport (DXB) are now ‘gradually resuming’ to ‘selected destinations’, Dubai’s Civil Aviation Authority confirmed on Monday morning.
However the vast majority of departures are delayed, according to tracking site FlightRadar24. Several arrivals into Dubai have been diverted.
The 13.25 flight from Dubai (DXB) to London Heathrow (LHR) is still scheduled to take off on time.
Dubai Media Office posted on X that ‘passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights’.
Dubai, the most populated city in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), welcomed 19.5 million international visitors in 2025, making it the sixth most visited city in the world.
Particularly loved by Brits, the City of Gold welcomed 1.32 million UK visitors in 2024, a 14% year-over-year increase on 2023.
Dubai is around 130 kilometres (80 miles) across the water from Iran, divided by the both the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf.
Between Dubai and Israel, there’s a land distance of 2,660 kilometres (1,652 miles), with Saudi Arabia and Jordan separating the two countries.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my holiday to Dubai?
The Foreign Office has explicitly advised against all but essential travel to the UAE, and is asking British citizens to register their presence with the Foreign Office.
This means that if you had a holiday or flight booked to the UAE, you should be eligible for a refund.
Currently, several airlines are rebooking passengers onto flights. British Airways, Emirates and Etihad are among the airlines taking this course of action, booking passengers onto new flights next week.
However, it is currently unknown whether these planes will depart as the situation continues to unfold.
Check your individual insurance policy, and contact your tour operator or airline for further help.
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