Is Dubai International Airport Open on March 23? Emirates and flydubai Operating as Missile Warning Issued Across UAE

Where Things Stand Today

The missile warning issued by UAE authorities this morning has not disrupted flight operations at DXB. Flights are currently boarding and departing on time, with Emirates and flydubai making up the vast majority of traffic under the foreign airline ban that has been in place since March 17.

Source: Screenshot from National Emergency Crisis and Disaster UAE on X

Authorities in Abu Dhabi responded to reports of falling debris in the Al Shawamekh area after a ballistic missile was intercepted overnight. As of this morning, no official all-clear has been issued, so residents and travelers are being advised to keep a close eye on updates from official sources.

This latest warning is not an isolated incident. It comes amid a steady pattern of attacks and interceptions. Since the start of Iran’s strikes targeting the UAE, officials say 233 ballistic missiles and more than 1,300 drones have been intercepted and destroyed.

The UAE has adjusted quickly to the threat. New flight corridors have been put in place, air traffic controllers are prepared to divert planes at short notice, and military jets are being used to escort some commercial flights. According to aviation safety firm Osprey Flight Solutions, response times are extremely tight. There may be as little as two minutes of warning for a ballistic missile and about 15 minutes for incoming drones.

There is also ongoing concern about aircraft on the ground. During the early phase of the conflict, an Emirates Airbus A380 and a Saudia Airbus A321 were damaged while parked at Dubai International Airport. A separate analysis found that dozens of passenger aircraft continued to take off or land within minutes of drone alerts.

Even with these risks, airlines in the region are continuing to operate at significant levels. Emirates is currently running around 300 flights a day, which is roughly 60 percent of its usual schedule, and hopes to return to full operations by March 29 if conditions allow. Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia have collectively operated more than 11,000 flights since the conflict began.

Across the region, operations remain uneven. Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport is partially open but still seeing cancellations. In Doha, Hamad International Airport has a flight corridor in place, though around 70 percent of departures are still cancelled. Muscat’s Seeb International Airport is also experiencing widespread disruptions, particularly on routes to Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, and Kochi.

Full Airline Status — March 23, 2026

Here’s where the major airlines stand as of this morning:

Emirates: Operating a reduced schedule from Dubai. As one of only two carriers permitted to operate at DXB under the foreign airline ban, Emirates remains the primary option for travel through Dubai. Passengers booked between February 28 and April 15 can rebook for travel up to May 31 or request a refund via emirates.com. Do not go to the airport without a confirmed booking. Check emirat.es/flightstatus within one hour of departure.

Etihad: Operating a limited number of commercial flights to select destinations from Abu Dhabi. Passengers are urged to check flight status before traveling and not arrive at the airport without confirmation. Passengers with bookings February 28 through March 31 can rebook free until May 15 or request a refund via etihad.com/manage. Online check-in is now available again as of today.

flydubai: Operating a reduced schedule from Dubai alongside Emirates. Passengers should not go to the airport without a confirmed departure time. Customers with bookings February 28 through March 31 can rebook within 30 days at no penalty or request a full refund. Contact your travel agent if you booked through one.

Air Arabia: Operating limited flights from Sharjah, Abu Dhabi, and Ras Al Khaimah to select destinations in India, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Europe through April 15. Passengers on cancelled flights can rebook, request a credit voucher, or take a full refund.

British Airways: All flights to Dubai, Bahrain, Amman, and Tel Aviv cancelled through May 31. Abu Dhabi flights suspended until October. Doha until April 30. BA is operating additional flights to Singapore and Bangkok for disrupted passengers.

Lufthansa Group: Flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, Erbil, and Beirut suspended until at least March 28. Tel Aviv until April 9. Tehran until April 30. Riyadh until April 5. Includes Lufthansa, SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways. Eurowings has separately extended its Dubai and Abu Dhabi suspension through June 27.

Qatar Airways: Operating a limited special schedule from Doha through March 28, reconnecting Doha with more than 70 destinations. Approximately 70% of departures from Hamad International remain cancelled. Passengers with bookings February 28 through March 28 are eligible for two complimentary date changes or a refund.

KLM: Not flying through the airspace of Iran, Iraq, and Israel, nor over several Gulf countries. Flights to Dubai and Riyadh suspended through March 28. Tel Aviv suspended for the remainder of the winter season.

Air Canada: Flights to Dubai and Tel Aviv currently suspended, with restart planned for March 23. Passengers can rebook to the same destination or reroute to Europe, UK, India, or Africa at no extra cost through December 15.

United Airlines: All flights to Dubai suspended until April 19. Passengers who purchased tickets on or before February 28 with travel dates between March 8 and April 19 can reschedule with fees and fare differences waived.

Turkish Airlines: All flights to the UAE suspended until at least the end of March. Passengers booked before February 28 have until May 10 to request a refund, change their reservation for free, or extend their ticket.

IndiGo: All flights to and from Dubai suspended until further notice. Passengers should check flight status and monitor notifications through registered contact details.

Wizz Air: Flights to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Amman, and Jeddah from mainland Europe suspended until mid-September.

Oman Air: Flights to and from Amman, Dubai, Bahrain, Doha, Dammam, Kuwait, Copenhagen, Baghdad, and Khasab cancelled through March 31. Some special flights are operating to move stranded passengers.

Philippine Airlines: Manila to Dubai route suspended until at least March 28. Rebooking and refund options available on the airline's website.

Virgin Atlantic: Seasonal Dubai service suspended for the remainder of winter. Riyadh flights also paused and being assessed on an ongoing basis.

Cathay Pacific: All flights to Dubai and Riyadh cancelled until April 30.

Japan Airlines: Tokyo to Doha suspended through March 31.

Scam Warning: Emirates and Etihad continue to warn passengers about fraudulent accounts targeting people with disrupted bookings. Fake social media profiles are circulating fraudulent refund forms and requesting passwords, one-time codes, and payment details. Neither airline will ever ask for sensitive information through social media. Emirates support only at emirat.es/xdm. Etihad support only at etihad.com. Do not share booking details publicly.

Before You Go to the Airport

A few non-negotiables before heading out:

• Do not go to the airport without a confirmed booking

• Check your flight status within one hour of leaving, not the night before

• 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

Flights are moving at DXB but the situation on the ground in the UAE remains active. Verify your flight status directly with your airline and keep monitoring official channels before heading to the airport.

We're watching this and will update the article 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

Frequently Asked Questions: Dubai Airport March 23, 2026

Is Dubai Airport open on March 23?

Yes. Dubai International is open and flights are currently boarding and on time. Only Emirates and flydubai are permitted to operate at DXB under the ongoing foreign airline ban.

Was there a missile warning in the UAE today?

Yes. The UAE's National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority issued a missile alert this morning. The Ministry of Defence confirmed air defences are actively responding to incoming missiles and drones from Iran. No formal all-clear has been issued as of this morning.

Were any aircraft damaged at Dubai Airport?

Yes. The Wall Street Journal has reported that an Emirates Airbus A380 and a Saudia Airbus A321 were damaged while parked at DXB during Iran's initial drone attacks earlier in the conflict.

Is the foreign airline ban still in effect?

Yes. The ban on foreign carriers landing at DXB remains in effect with no stated end date. Only Emirates and flydubai are permitted to operate at Dubai International.

When will Emirates restore its full schedule?

Emirates is aiming to restore full operations by March 29, subject to the security situation. The airline is currently operating around 60% of its pre-war capacity.

Did Air Canada restart Dubai flights today as planned?

Air Canada had March 23 listed as its planned restart date, but its website continues to advise passengers not to head to the airport. Confirm directly with Air Canada before traveling.

What should I do if my flight was cancelled?

Contact your airline directly rather than waiting for outreach. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, and Air Arabia are all offering rebooking and refund options. If you booked through a travel agent, contact them directly.

How do I avoid scams while trying to rebook?

Use only official airline websites and support channels. Emirates support is only at emirat.es/xdm. Etihad support is only at etihad.com. No airline will contact you through social media DMs or ask for passwords or payment details.

When will the foreign airline ban at Dubai be lifted?

No timeline has been given. Emirates is aiming to restore full operations by March 29, subject to the security situation. Monitor official channels for updates.