Is Dubai International Airport Open on March 16? Flights Suspended, Emirates to Resume Operations at 10 AM

What Happened This Morning

The incident began in the early hours of Monday morning local time. A drone struck a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport, triggering a fire that Dubai Civil Defence teams moved quickly to contain. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced the temporary suspension of all flights shortly after, citing passenger and staff safety. The Dubai Media Office confirmed that some flights were being diverted from DXB to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Jebel Ali.

Source: Screenshot from Dubai Media Office via X March 14, 2026

Emirates issued an immediate advisory telling all passengers not to travel to the airport. "All flights to and from Dubai have been temporarily suspended. Please do not go to the airport," the airline posted on X. The message was clear: stay home, wait for updates.

Source: Screenshot from Emirates via X March 16, 2026

Emirates Is Resuming at 10 AM— But Not All Flights

In a follow-up update posted this morning, Emirates confirmed it expects to operate a limited schedule after 10:00 AM Dubai local time. That's the better news. The harder news is that some flights from today's schedule have already been cancelled.

Source: Screenshot from Emirates via X March 16, 2026

If you're booked on Emirates today, check your email and the Emirates app before you do anything else. Affected customers will receive a cancellation notice and be advised on reaccommodation options. If you haven't heard anything, check emirat.es/flightstatus within one hour of any planned departure, not before.

Do not go to the airport on the assumption that your flight is operating. Confirm first. The situation this morning moved fast and the information window is narrow.

What This Means for the Broader Picture

This is the third time since February 28 that a drone has reached DXB. Each incident resets the risk calculation for every airline that was already on the fence about returning. British Airways, Lufthansa Group, Air France, KLM, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines, Finnair, and Virgin Atlantic were already suspended through late March or beyond. Those carriers cite airspace safety and war-risk insurance as the reasons, and a fuel tank fire on Monday morning is not the kind of evidence that accelerates a return.

Emirates and Etihad are still flying because Dubai and Abu Dhabi are their homes. They don't have the option of rerouting through Istanbul or Singapore. But a global hub is defined by the international carriers that feed it, and right now, most of those carriers have left.

The suspension this morning was temporary and Emirates is coming back. That matters and it's real progress within the chaos. But temporary suspensions that keep happening stop feeling temporary.

Before You Go to the Airport

A short list, because the situation today requires it:

• Do not travel to DXB without confirming your flight is operating

• Emirates expects limited operations after 10:00 AM local time, but check your flight before heading to the airport

• Some flights diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Jebel Ali

• If your flight was cancelled, wait for the cancellation notice from your airline

• Do not share booking details or personal information on social media

• Emirates support: emirat.es/xdm only

• Dubai Airports WhatsApp: +971 4 224 5555

• Dubai Airports live chat: dubaiairports.ae/contact-information

The situation is still developing. This article will be updated as new information becomes available through official channels. 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

Emirates is coming back online after 10 AM and that's the most important thing for passengers with flights today. We will continue to keep you updated as the story continues to unfold, including the latest on when other airlines plan to resume operations at DXB.

Frequently Asked Questions: Dubai Airport March 16, 2026

Is Dubai Airport open on March 16, 2026?

Dubai International Airport temporarily suspended all flights in the early hours of Monday, March 16 following a drone strike on a fuel tank near the airport. Emirates has since announced it expects to resume a limited schedule after 10:00 AM Dubai local time. Check with your airline before traveling to the airport.

What caused the flight suspension at Dubai Airport today?

A drone struck a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport, triggering a fire. Dubai Civil Defence contained the fire with no injuries reported. The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority suspended all flights as a precautionary safety measure.

Are Emirates flights operating on March 16?

Emirates initially suspended all flights and advised passengers not to travel to the airport. In a follow-up update, the airline confirmed it expects to operate a limited schedule after 10:00 AM local time. Some flights from today's schedule have been cancelled. Check emirat.es/flightstatus before leaving home.

Where were diverted flights sent?

The Dubai Media Office confirmed that some flights were diverted from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Jebel Ali.

Is this the first drone incident at Dubai Airport?

No. This is the third drone incident at DXB since Iran began its offensive on Gulf nations on February 28. Each previous incident caused temporary disruptions to operations.

What should I do if my Emirates flight was cancelled today?

Emirates has said affected customers will receive a cancellation notice and will be advised on reaccommodation options. Check your email and the Emirates app. For support, use emirat.es/xdm only. Do not share booking details via public social media.

Are other airlines flying to Dubai today?

Most major international carriers including British Airways, Lufthansa Group, Air France, KLM, Cathay Pacific, Finnair, and Virgin Atlantic remain suspended through late March or beyond. Emirates is resuming limited operations after 10:00 AM. Check directly with your airline for the latest status.

What is the alternative airport to Dubai right now?

Some flights are being diverted to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) in Jebel Ali. Muscat remains an alternative hub for some routes, though Oman Air's network is also reduced.