Emirates confirmed at noon today (16 March) that it had resumed flight operations following a temporary suspension put in place this morning following a fire at the airport caused by a drone strike.
Many flights from the UK were rerouted following the attack, with many returning to their point of origin. Other flights were diverted to the city’s second airport, Al Maktoum International.
No injuries were reported from the fire, which authorities said had been quickly brought under control.
Dubai airport had been in the process of ramping up operations and increasing passenger capacity to return stranded travellers and resume normal operations.
Elsewhere in the Middle East, Qatar Airways said that it would increase the number of flights from Wednesday (18 March), despite its airspace still being closed. “The number of flights that can operate each day is extremely limited under the current operational conditions,” it said on its website.
Qatar Airways said that it would resume scheduled flight operations once the Qatar Civil Aviation Authority (QCAA) announces the reopening of Qatari airspace.
The QCAA has approved operating corridors for a limited number of flights, and Qatar Airways will operate a revised limited schedule from March 18, 2026.