Dubai Airport Open on March 12: Overnight Drone Strikes Hit Residential Buildings as Regional Attacks Continue

What Changed Overnight

The overnight drone activity marks a noticeable shift, with incidents now reaching residential and urban parts of Dubai rather than staying closer to airport or infrastructure areas. While no injuries have been reported, the number of incidents across the city in a single night suggests the situation is becoming more active than it has been in recent days.

Here’s what’s been confirmed since yesterday’s update:

A drone struck a residential tower overnight, sparking a fire and forcing an evacuation. Civil Defence teams responded quickly and contained the fire, and no injuries were reported. Another drone fell on a building near Dubai Creek Harbour, causing a small fire that was also brought under control without injuries. A third drone crash was reported in the Al Bada’a area, again handled by Civil Defence with no injuries confirmed. The Dubai Media Office has urged residents to rely on official sources for updates as authorities continue monitoring the situation.

On the airline side, Oman Air has expanded its cancellations significantly. Flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab are now cancelled through March 22, extending the earlier March 15 timeline. This is an important update for travelers who were considering routing through Muscat, as Oman’s network is now more limited than it was just a day ago.

Emirates has also issued a warning about fraud targeting travelers seeking help online. Passengers should avoid sharing booking details, contact information, or personal data in public replies on social media. Scammers are actively monitoring those threads. For assistance, Emirates recommends using its secure direct message channel at emirat.es/xdm instead.

(Source: Emirates via X, March 12, 2026)

Dubai Airport Status Right Now — March 12, 2026

Current conditions at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) as of March 12, 2026:

Here's where every major carrier stands as of this morning:

• Airport status: Open and operating at DXB and DWC

• Emirates: Operating an expanding schedule. Check emirat.es/flightstatus before heading to the

• flydubai: Continuing a reduced schedule from Terminals 2 and 3, with some flight times longer than usual due to rerouting through alternative corridors. Check flydubai.com for current status.

• Etihad: Operating limited flights from Abu Dhabi through March 19 across a broad range of global destinations. Check the company website before heading to the airport: etihad.com.

• Air Arabia: Running limited flights from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to select destinations across India, Pakistan, Egypt, Europe, and the Middle East. Check airarabia.com for current routes.

• Virgin Atlantic: Seasonal Dubai service suspended for the remainder of the winter season, with Riyadh also paused and under ongoing review.

• British Airways: All flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, and Tel Aviv cancelled. Dubai and regional routes are suspended through the end of March, and Abu Dhabi flights are cancelled until later this year. Final repatriation flights from Muscat to London Heathrow run today and tomorrow at 2:30am local time, with very limited seats remaining. Contact BA directly at +44 203 467 3854.

• Oman Air: Flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab now cancelled through March 22. This is an extension from the previous March 15 deadline.

• Air France: Suspension of flights to Dubai.

• Qatar Airways: Qatar Airways is not flying to or from Dubai. It's operating limited repatriation flights out of Doha only, and at a fraction of its normal schedule.

• Lufthansa Group: Suspension officially expired March 10. Contact your specific Lufthansa Group carrier directly to confirm whether Dubai service has resumed before assuming it has.

• KLM: Suspension officially expired March 10. Check klm.com for confirmed status before booking or traveling.

• Finnair: All Dubai flights cancelled through March 29, with special repatriation flights from Muscat to Helsinki operating for passengers currently stranded in the region.

• Norwegian: All Dubai flights cancelled through March 12

• Cathay Pacific: All Hong Kong to Dubai flights cancelled through March 31.

• Singapore Airlines: Dubai flights cancelled through March 15.

• UAE airspace: Partially open, with flights operating through restricted corridors and active air defense engagement ongoing.

• Passenger access: Confirmed bookings only. Do not travel to the airport without direct, current confirmation from your airline.

Source: Screenshot from Dubai Airports Website March 12, 2026

Muscat as an Alternative Hub: A More Complicated Picture

For the past week, Muscat has been the most reliable exit point in the region for passengers unable to fly from Dubai. That picture is now more complicated. Oman Air posted a travel update on X today confirming that while its flights continue to operate as normal with additional services across its wider network, ongoing regional airspace closures mean several routes remain temporarily affected. Flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab are now cancelled through March 22, an extension from the previous March 15 deadline. Several key connections that passengers have been relying on to get home via Muscat are no longer available through Oman Air for the next ten days.

Other carriers are still routing through Muscat, and the city remains a viable alternative to Dubai for passengers who can get there. But if your plan relied on Oman Air connections out of Muscat, you need to check your itinerary today and contact the airline directly to understand your options. Bookings can be managed via omanair.com/en/manage-book or the Oman Air mobile app. The land border crossing from the UAE into Oman remains an option for passengers willing to make the journey overland.

Source: Screenshot from Oman Air March 12, 2026

A Note on Information Reliability

Getting reliable, real-time information out of Dubai right now can be challenging, and travelers should be aware of that when following updates.

Authorities in the UAE have taken legal action against several people for posting or sharing videos related to recent Iranian strikes. According to reports, a British tourist was arrested earlier this week after allegedly filming missiles hitting Dubai and posting the footage online. He has been charged under the country’s cybercrime laws, which carry potential penalties of up to two years in prison. Officials say the charges relate to distributing content that could “disturb public security.” Under UAE law, reposting or sharing similar material can also lead to charges.

As a result, many videos that circulated widely during the early days of the conflict have since been removed from social media, and public commentary from influencers or residents in Dubai has become more limited. This has made it harder to verify events through typical social media channels.

For travelers trying to understand the situation, airline announcements and verified airline social media accounts remain among the most dependable sources for updates related to flights and airport operations. The Dubai Media Office has continued to describe reported drone incidents as minor, but official airport communication has been limited in recent days. Notably, the Dubai Airports and Dubai International Airport social media accounts have not issued updates since March 7.

We are continuing to compile information from airline statements, verified news reporting, and official announcements. When details are unclear or unconfirmed, we will note that. Travelers should check directly with their airline, rely on official airline apps for flight updates, and approach unverified social media posts with caution given the current information environment.

What to Do Right Now

The airport is open and flights are moving, but last night's drone activity across residential Dubai is a reminder that this situation has not stabilized. If you’re trying to figure out your next steps, here are a few places to start:

• Do not go to the airport without a confirmed booking from your airline. Even then, check again right before you leave. Conditions changed quickly this morning and schedules are still shifting.


• Check your flight status right before you leave. Not just the night before. Use the airline's app or website within an hour of departure.

• Check Emirates flight status at emirat.es/flightstatus.

• Check Etihad flight status at etihad.com.

• Keep an eye on your email and airline notifications. Airlines are contacting confirmed passengers directly with updates, rebookings, and boarding instructions.

• Confirm your terminal before leaving, as some operations have shifted between DXB terminals.

• If you need an Etihad refund, use the online form at etihad.com/en/help/refund-form


• If you are still stranded and cannot secure a commercial seat, contact your country's embassy about charter or repatriation options.

• If your flight was cancelled, contact your airline directly or your travel agent. Online rebooking portals are the fastest option for most carriers.

For the most up-to-date information, travelers are encouraged to monitor the following official accounts on X: Dubai Media Office, Dubai Airports, Emirates, and Etihad

If you haven't yet traveled to the UAE and were planning to in the coming days, consult your government's official travel advisory before making any decisions. The US State Department, UK Foreign Office, and Australian DFAT all maintain live advisories for the region that are updated regularly and reflect the current situation on the ground.

Muscat Remains the Most Reliable Exit Point

For the past week, Muscat has been the most reliable exit point in the region for passengers unable to fly from Dubai. That picture is now more complicated. Oman Air's extension of cancellations through March 22 means the airline's own network out of Muscat is significantly reduced. Several key routes, including connections to Amman, Doha, Kuwait, and Copenhagen, are no longer available through Oman Air for the next ten days.

Other carriers are still routing through Muscat, and the city remains a viable alternative to Dubai for passengers who can get there. But if your plan relied on Oman Air connections out of Muscat, you need to check your itinerary today and contact the airline directly to understand your options. The land border crossing from the UAE into Oman remains an option for passengers willing to make the journey overland.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dubai Airport March 12, 2026

Is Dubai Airport open on March 12, 2026?

Yes. Dubai International Airport is open and operating. Only passengers with confirmed bookings should travel to the airport. Check your flight status within one hour of departure.

What happened in Dubai overnight?

A drone struck a residential tower in Dubai overnight, sparking a fire and forcing an evacuation. Additional drone crashes were reported near Dubai Creek Harbour and in the Al Bada'a area. Civil Defence responded to all incidents and no injuries were reported. Dubai Airport operations were not shut down.

Are Emirates flights operating today?

Yes. Emirates continues to operate an expanding schedule. Check emirat.es/flightstatus before heading to the airport. For support, use the Emirates direct message channel at emirat.es/xdm rather than posting publicly.

Has Oman Air extended its cancellations?

Yes. Oman Air has extended cancellations on routes to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab through March 22, an extension from the previous March 15 deadline.

Is British Airways still operating repatriation flights from Muscat?

Today, March 12, is the final scheduled BA repatriation flight from Muscat to London Heathrow, departing at 2:30am local time. After today, BA's Muscat operation closes. Contact +44 203 467 3854 immediately if you need assistance.

Is Norwegian resuming Dubai flights today?

Norwegian's cancellation deadline was March 12. Check directly with Norwegian for confirmed resumption status today.

Is there a scam warning I should know about?

Yes. Emirates has issued a formal fraud warning asking passengers not to share booking references, contact details, or personal data publicly on social media. Fraudsters are targeting distressed passengers. Use emirat.es/xdm for secure private support.

Why is it hard to get accurate information about Dubai right now?

A British tourist was charged with a cybercrime after filming missile strikes in Dubai, and at least 21 people face charges over social media posts related to the conflict. Under UAE law, sharing or even reposting such content can result in prosecution. This has created widespread self-censorship. The Dubai Airports and Dubai International Airport X accounts have not posted updates since March 7, and the Dubai Media Office has consistently downplayed incidents. The most reliable information currently comes from direct airline announcements on their official websites and verified accounts.

What is the best alternative to flying from Dubai right now?

Muscat remains the most viable alternative hub, though Oman Air's own network is now more limited following its cancellation extension through March 22. Other carriers continue to route through Muscat. The UAE to Oman land border crossing is also an option for passengers who cannot secure flights from Dubai.