Is Dubai International Airport Open on March 13? Drone Hits Financial District as KLM Extends Cancellations

The DIFC Strike and What It Signals

For nearly two weeks, the incidents reported in Dubai have largely involved residential towers, areas near the airport, and other pieces of infrastructure. Friday’s strike was different. The drone hit the Dubai International Financial Centre, the city’s main financial hub and home to regional offices for firms like Goldman Sachs, Citi, JPMorgan, BlackRock, and Standard Chartered. Several companies have already asked employees to work from home. People still in the city say daily life is continuing, but with a noticeable edge. Evacuation alerts are interrupting routines, and the sound of aerial interceptions has become part of the night.

In a separate incident, debris from an aerial interception struck the facade of a building in central Dubai. No injuries were reported. Overnight, another drone hit the Address Creek Harbour 2 hotel residence, sparking a fire that Civil Defence teams quickly brought under control. All residents were safely evacuated.

None of these incidents directly affected airport operations, but they are important for travelers trying to understand how the situation is evolving. At the moment, there are few signs that things are settling down.

(Source: Dubai Media Office via X, March 13, 2026)

Dubai Airport Status Right Now — March 13, 2026

Current conditions at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) as of March 13, 2026:

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

• Airport status: Open and operating at DXB and DWC

• Emirates: Operating a reduced schedule to over 110 destinations, with plans to return to full operations in the coming days. Transiting passengers will only be accepted if their connecting flight is confirmed. Check emirat.es/flightstatus within one hour of departure. For booking support, use emirat.es/xdm only. Do not post booking details publicly.

• flydubai: Operating a reduced schedule across its network. Passengers booked between February 28 and March 31 can rebook to the same destination within 30 days without penalty. Check flydubai.com for current status.

• Etihad: Published an updated flight schedule through March 16. Tickets issued on or before February 28 with travel dates up to March 21 may be rebooked free of charge on flights until May 15. Refunds for flights until March 21 can be submitted online or through travel agents. Check the company website before heading to the airport: etihad.com.

• Air Arabia: Operating limited flights from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to select destinations through March 22, including Vienna, Cairo, Athens, Nairobi, Islamabad, Karachi, and Bangkok. Passengers whose flights were cancelled may take one free date change within 30 days, a full credit voucher, or a full refund.

• Virgin Atlantic: Dubai service suspended for the remainder of the winter season through March 28.

• British Airways: All flights to Dubai, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, and Tel Aviv cancelled until the end of March with no official resumption date. Abu Dhabi services suspended until later this year. Limited repatriation seats from Muscat to London Heathrow remain available for customers currently in Oman or the UAE.

• Oman Air: Flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab cancelled through March 22.

• Air France: All flights to and from Dubai suspended through Saturday, March 14 inclusive. The scheduled return flight departing Dubai on Sunday, March 15 is also cancelled. Affected passengers have been notified individually and may postpone or cancel free of charge. Check airfrance.com for updates.

• China Southern Airlines: Resumed selected routes from Guangzhou and Shenzhen to Dubai from March 8 through March 11. No update has been provided on flights beyond those dates. Check the airline's official website before traveling.

• Qatar Airways: Regular commercial operations remain suspended due to the closure of Qatari airspace. A limited schedule is operating to support affected travelers. Passengers with confirmed bookings between February 28 and March 28 may make two complimentary date changes of up to 14 days from their original travel date, or request a refund of the unused ticket value.

• Lufthansa Group: All scheduled flights to and from Dubai cancelled through Sunday, March 15. The situation remains dynamic and schedules may change at short notice. Guests holding Lufthansa tickets issued on or before March 1 with travel dates between March 16 and March 26 may request a refund. Confirm your specific carrier's status at lufthansa.com.

• KLM: All flights to Dubai cancelled through March 28. Affected passengers can rebook free of charge or request a refund via My Trip at klm.com. KLM's stranded Boeing 787 departed Dubai for the Netherlands on March 12 under additional safety measures.

• United Airlines: Passengers who purchased tickets on or before February 28 with travel dates between March 8 and April 19 may reschedule with fees and fare differences waived for flights between March 1 and April 19. Passengers who cancel entirely are eligible for a full refund. New bookings made after March 31 have change fees waived, though fare differences may apply.

• Air India / Air India Express: Operating 36 ad-hoc flights to the UAE today, including three Air India routes from Delhi and two from Mumbai, plus Air India Express connections between Dubai and Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kochi, Kozhikode, and Mumbai.

• IndiGo: Operating one route between Mumbai and Dubai and two between Delhi and Dubai as of March 12. No further update has been provided. The airline is proactively reaching out to affected customers.

• Finnair: All Dubai flights cancelled through March 29. Contact Finnair directly for rebooking.

• Norwegian: Cancellation deadline was March 12. Check directly with Norwegian today for confirmed resumption status.

• Cathay Pacific: All Dubai flights cancelled through the end of March.

• Philippine Airlines: PR658/659 Manila to Dubai to Manila route suspended through Monday, March 16. Affected passengers may rebook or request a refund via the airline's website.

• Singapore Airlines: Dubai flights cancelled through March 15. Check singaporeair.com for updated status.

• Turkish Airlines / AJet / Pegasus / SunExpress: All flights from Turkey to Dubai cancelled through the end of Friday, March 13. Watch for updated guidance as today's deadline expires. Passengers who booked before February 28 with travel dates between February 28 and March 31 have until May 10 to request a refund, change their reservation for free, or extend their ticket's duration.

• 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 13, 2026

Scam Warning: Emirates and Etihad Are Both Raising the Alarm

This is something to pay close attention to if you’re dealing with a disrupted booking. Both Emirates and Etihad issued formal fraud warnings today, saying scammers are increasingly targeting travelers who are trying to rebook or get help.

Emirates is urging passengers not to share booking references, contact details, or personal information in public replies on social media. The airline says the only safe way to contact them through social media is their official direct message service at emirat.es/xdm.

Etihad has also warned about fake accounts pretending to be the airline and sending out fraudulent refund forms. The airline says it will never ask for passwords, one-time codes, or payment information through social media. For assistance, passengers should only use etihad.com.

Source: Screenshot from Emirates via X March 13, 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 clear, real-time information out of Dubai right now isn’t easy, and travelers should know that before relying too heavily on any single source, including this one. A British tourist was recently charged with a cybercrime after filming drone strikes, and authorities say at least 21 people are facing charges related to social media posts about the conflict. Under UAE cybercrime law, even sharing or reposting that kind of footage can lead to prosecution. As a result, many of the videos that circulated earlier have largely disappeared from social media, and people on the ground are being cautious about what they post.

There’s also been a noticeable gap in official airport updates. The Dubai Airports and Dubai International Airport X accounts have not posted new information since March 7. For now, the most reliable updates are coming directly from airlines through their official websites and verified social media accounts.

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

The conflict has now stretched past two weeks, and the targeting pattern keeps expanding. Stay confirmed, stay flexible, and give yourself more time than you think you need at every step.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dubai Airport March 13, 2026

Is Dubai Airport open on March 13, 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 on March 13?

A drone struck the Dubai International Financial Centre on Friday, sending smoke over central Dubai. Separately, debris from an aerial interception hit a building facade in the city. Overnight, a drone also struck the Address Creek Harbour 2 hotel residence, sparking a fire that was quickly contained. No injuries were reported in any of the three incidents.

Are Emirates flights operating today?

Yes. Emirates is operating a reduced schedule to over 110 destinations, with plans to restore a full schedule in the coming days. Confirm your specific flight at emirat.es/flightstatus before heading to the airport.

Has KLM extended its Dubai cancellations?

Yes. KLM has extended all Dubai flight cancellations through March 28. Affected passengers can rebook free of charge or request a refund via the My Trip service at klm.com.

What is Air France's current status for Dubai flights?

All Air France flights to and from Dubai are suspended through Saturday, March 14 inclusive. The scheduled return flight departing Dubai on Sunday, March 15 is also cancelled. Affected passengers have been notified directly and may postpone or cancel free of charge.

What are United Airlines' options for affected passengers?

Passengers who purchased tickets on or before February 28 with travel dates between March 8 and April 19 may reschedule with fees and fare differences waived. Passengers who cancel entirely are eligible for a full refund. New bookings made after March 31 have change fees waived, though fare differences may apply.

Is there a scam warning I should know about?

Yes. Both Emirates and Etihad have issued formal fraud warnings. Do not share booking references, passwords, or payment details publicly on social media. Emirates support: emirat.es/xdm. Etihad support: etihad.com only. Neither airline will ever ask for one-time codes or payment details via social media.

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

Muscat remains a viable alternative hub, though Oman Air's own network is reduced through March 22. Other carriers continue to route through Muscat, and the UAE to Oman land border crossing remains an option for passengers who cannot secure flights directly from Dubai.