Dubai airport resumes some flights after drone attack spotlights risks

Dubai’s international airport started to reopen some flights on Monday, according to officials, after a drone attack caused a fire and led to a temporary halt in operations. This incident further complicated travel at one of the busiest airports in the world. The ongoing conflict between the U.S. and Israel against Iran has caused major disruptions in global aviation, with many flights being canceled, rescheduled, or rerouted. Most airspace over the Middle East remains closed due to fears of missile and drone strikes, which has also raised fuel prices. Monday’s event highlighted the difficulties faced by airlines in the UAE and the broader aviation sector as they try to increase capacity and restore normal operations. This was the third attack on Dubai international airport (DXB) since Iran began targeting Gulf countries on February 28, with these strikes aimed at U.S. interests in the area. While the United Arab Emirates and other Gulf nations host U.S. military bases, Iran has targeted civilian sites like airports, hotels, and ports with missiles and drones. In a statement on X, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced a "gradual resumption" of some flights to certain locations, according to the Dubai Media Office. Emirates airline indicated that it plans to partially resume flights at 06:00 GMT following the attack, which damaged a fuel tank near the airport but did not result in any injuries. Some flights were canceled, as noted on Emirates' website, and sister airline flydubai also temporarily stopped its services. Additionally, some flights were redirected to Al Maktoum International Airport. Since February 28, Gulf Arab states have experienced over 2,000 missile and drone attacks, targeting not only U.S. diplomatic missions and military bases but also vital oil infrastructure along with residential and commercial buildings.