Flights halted at Dubai airport after nearby drone incident

Flights were temporarily suspended at Dubai International Airport on Monday after a drone-related incident sparked a fire near the facility, according to city authorities.

Dubai’s media office said the incident affected a nearby fuel tank, triggering a blaze that was later brought under control by emergency teams. No injuries were reported.

The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced the suspension of flights as a precautionary step to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff.

The disruption comes as regional tensions continue amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East. Iranian forces have launched more than 1,800 missiles and drones toward the United Arab Emirates during the conflict, though most were intercepted by the country’s air defence systems.

Earlier in the week, two falling drones injured four people near the airport, according to the city’s media office.

Iran has targeted US-linked assets as well as civilian infrastructure across the Gulf, including airports, ports, oil facilities and major landmarks, following US-Israeli strikes that heavily damaged parts of its leadership.

Since the conflict began, the UAE’s defence ministry has reported six deaths, including four civilians and two military personnel who died in a helicopter crash attributed to a technical malfunction.