Is Dubai International Airport Open on March 26? Tornado Risk, Drone Debris, and Major Storms Disrupt DXB Flights

Where Things Stand Today

Around 01:30 early Wednesday morning, fragments from a drone intercepted over the Gulf fell onto Terminal 3’s arrivals area, setting off a fire alarm and forcing a temporary pause on incoming flights. The northern runway was cleared and operations resumed by 03:27, just under two hours later. No passengers were hurt, though two ground-handling staff were treated for smoke inhalation and minor cuts from broken glass.

While the airport was closed, Emirates and flydubai diverted 11 flights to Al Maktoum International, Muscat, and Doha. Flights began moving again with delays averaging around 85 minutes, but airlines warned that those disruptions would carry into the rest of the day. This marks the third incident since February 28 to impact airport infrastructure, and airlines are already feeling the knock-on effects, with rising war-risk insurance costs likely to push operating expenses higher if disruptions continue into the summer.

Emirates has advised all passengers departing Dubai between March 23 and March 27 to allow extra time for the journey to the airport, citing rain, reduced visibility, and difficult driving conditions. Dubai Airports also encouraged travelers to allow extra travel time when heading to the airport.

Source: Screenshot from DXB via X

The Security Situation

There hasn’t been an official all-clear. UAE air defenses are still intercepting missiles and drones, and what happened overnight is a reminder that even when those interceptions are successful, there can still be real disruption on the ground. If you’re flying this afternoon or evening, it’s worth checking your flight status carefully, as delays from the overnight incident may still be working their way through the system.

The Weather Picture Through March 27

The National Centre of Meteorology is calling this the final wave of the storm system that’s been hitting the UAE all week, and it’s also expected to be the strongest. Parts of Abu Dhabi and Ajman have already seen more than a year’s worth of rain in a single day. The heaviest conditions are forecast to reach Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah from around 4pm today, spread overnight, and peak between 6am and 10am on Friday. Things should start to ease by Saturday afternoon.

For American travelers, the tornado headlines need a bit of context. Forecasters say any tornado in the UAE would likely be on the very low end of the scale, nothing like what you’d see in the Midwest. The bigger concern here is heavy rain, flash flooding, and poor visibility on the roads. In most cases, it’s getting to the airport, not the flight itself, that’s more likely to cause problems.

Getting to the Airport Today

Earlier this week, travelers were already being warned to arrive early at the airport, but with conditions worsening today, Emirates has clarified that more time is likely needed.

Emirates still recommends arriving at least two hours before departure, but with the storm expected to peak tonight, four hours is the safer baseline. flydubai is asking passengers to arrive at least four hours early across the board. Thursday evening departures carry the highest weather risk of the week.

Abu Dhabi Police have also reduced speed limits on Sheikh Khalifa International Road and are urging delivery riders to stay off the roads. If you’re relying on a taxi or rideshare, plan for delays and have a backup option. Authorities are advising people to avoid valleys, flood-prone areas, and beaches until the system passes.

What Emirates Is Operating Today

Emirates continues to run a reduced schedule, operating around 60% of its pre-war capacity. The airline is aiming to restore full operations by March 29, subject to the security situation. City check-in locations across Dubai remain temporarily closed.

Passengers with bookings between February 28 and April 15 can rebook for travel up to May 31 or request a refund via emirates.com. Check flight status at emirat.es/flightstatus within one hour of leaving for the airport.

Full Airline Status — March 26, 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.

Middle East Airlines: Operating scheduled services between DXB and Beirut.

Biman Bangladesh Airlines: Operating scheduled services between DXB and Dhaka.

US-Bangla Airlines: Operating scheduled services between DXB and Dhaka.

Air Sial: Operating between DXB and Lahore, with some delays reported this morning.

IndiGo: Operating select routes based on safety assessments and regulatory clearances. Verify flight status before departure.

Air India and Air India Express: Flights to and from DXB remain suspended.

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 things to know before heading out:

• Drone debris struck Terminal 3's arrivals roof at 01:30 on March 25, causing a brief shutdown and 85-minute average delays. Residual knock-on disruption may still be in the system today

• This is DXB's third infrastructure-related incident since February 28

• The storm peaks tonight through Friday morning. The worst window is roughly 4pm today through 10am Friday

• This is the final wave. Conditions should ease Saturday afternoon

• Emirates and flydubai are maintaining a combined schedule of around 207 departures today

• Air India and Qatar Airways have both partially resumed Dubai services

• Emirates advises arriving at least two hours early. flydubai advises four hours

• UAE air defences remain active. No all-clear has been issuedDo not go to the airport without a confirmed booking

• Adverse weather is expected through March 27, so allow extra road time

• 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 today, but there are a few things to consider. Flooded roads, active air defences, and a reduced flight schedule all mean the smartest thing you can do is leave early, check your status before you walk out the door, and give yourself more time than you think you need.

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 26 2026

Is Dubai Airport open on March 26?

Yes. Dubai International is open and flights are operating. Emirates and flydubai are maintaining a combined schedule of around 207 departures today, with several regional carriers also running scheduled services.

Was Terminal 3 damaged overnight?

Yes. Debris from an intercepted drone struck the Terminal 3 arrivals roof at around 01:30 on March 25, triggering a fire alarm and a brief shutdown of about two hours. Two ground-handling employees were injured. The airport reopened and outbound services resumed with average 85-minute delays. This was the third incident since February 28 to cause damage to DXB infrastructure.

Is the storm getting worse today?

Yes. The NCM is calling today the final — and most intense — wave of the current weather system. Conditions are expected to peak between Thursday evening and Friday morning, with the worst window forecast for 6am–10am on Friday across Dubai, Sharjah, and Ras Al Khaimah.

Is there really a tornado risk?

Forecasters have flagged a small chance of isolated tornadoes. Any tornado in the UAE would likely be an EF0 or EF1 — the lowest categories on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. The more practical concern for travelers is heavy rain, flash flooding, and reduced visibility on roads.

When will the weather clear up?

The NCM says conditions should ease on Saturday, with sunny skies returning by Saturday afternoon.

Has anything changed with the airline situation?

Yes. Air India and Air India Express resumed ad-hoc operations and ran 26 flights to Dubai on March 25. Qatar Airways restarted limited Doha–Dubai service. United Airlines extended its Dubai suspension from April 19 through June 15. Turkish Airlines extended its passenger rebooking deadline to June 10.

How early should I arrive at Dubai Airport today?

Emirates recommends at least two hours. flydubai recommends four hours. Given the storm peaks tonight, four hours is the safer baseline for anyone departing Thursday evening or Friday morning.

How do I avoid scams while rebooking?

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