Is Dubai International Airport Open on March 27? A Year's Worth of Rain Has Hit the City in Two Days

Where Things Stand Today

Dubai typically receives around 4 inches of rainfall in an entire year. In the last 24 to 48 hours, the city received somewhere between 3 and 6 inches or more, close to a full year's worth in two days. Roads flooded, underpasses filled, and cars were abandoned across low-lying areas. Some properties saw water entering at ground level.

Source: Screenshot from Dubia Media Office via X

This isn't an isolated Dubai problem either. Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and areas near the Strait of Hormuz are dealing with the same system. Wadis have overflowed across the UAE, and the broader region, including northern Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar, is under pressure from what's being described as one of the most extreme weather events the area has seen in years.

The Weather Picture

The UAE's weather department has issued both yellow and orange alerts, with unstable conditions expected through Friday morning. Rain of varying intensity is forecast, at times accompanied by thunder and lightning, particularly across coastal, eastern, and northern regions. The storm has already produced some striking visuals across the city.

Source: Lightning strikes the Burj Khalifa during the storm, via Dubia Media Office via X

Winds will pick up at times, which means blowing dust, reduced visibility, and tougher driving conditions in some spots. Sea conditions remain relatively calm to moderate, but on land, it’s a different story. The National Centre of Meteorology says things should start to ease heading into the weekend.

There is a small chance of more unusual weather like hail or even brief desert tornadoes, but those would likely be on the weaker end. The bigger concern for most people today is much more practical: flooding, road closures, and delays getting where you need to go.

What This Means for Your Flight

Getting to DXB is the hardest part right now. Flooded roads and heavy traffic are making travel times unpredictable, so if you’re heading to the airport today, leave much earlier than you normally would. Four hours is a good baseline given current conditions. Check your airline’s app before you go, and try to avoid routes with low-lying underpasses, which are more likely to flood.

Once you’re there, expect some delays. The weather has already disrupted flight schedules, and there may still be knock-on effects from earlier delays working through the system. Emirates and flydubai are handling most operations at DXB, so keep an eye on their official channels for updates. If you need to change your plans, stick to official airline websites. No airline will reach out through social media messages or ask for payment details.

The NCM expects conditions to ease as the weekend progresses. If your travel is Saturday or Sunday, you're likely looking at a much more normal situation, but monitor alerts through Friday before making any decisions about changing plans.

Emirates Airline Update

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 27, 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:

• Conditions should ease Saturday afternoon

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

• UAE air defences remain active. No all-clear has been issued

• Do not go to the airport without a confirmed booking

• 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. Dubai has handled extreme weather before, including the record April 2024 floods, and the response from authorities has been fast. Pumping crews are already deployed and roads are being cleared. The city will bounce back quickly. For now, give yourself time, check official sources, and avoid flooded areas. If you need emergency assistance in Dubai, the numbers are: Civil Defense 997, Ambulance 998, Police 999.

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 27, 2026

Is Dubai Airport open on March 27?

Yes. Dubai International is open and flights are operating. Expect delays due to the weather system and disruption carried over from overnight.

How bad is the flooding in Dubai right now?

Significant. Overnight rains brought the heaviest rainfall Dubai has seen in 30 years, submerging roads and underpasses and stranding cars. Low-lying areas saw water enter properties. No casualties have been reported and authorities are actively clearing affected areas.

How much rain has Dubai received?

Dubai averages around 4 inches of rainfall annually. The current storm brought between 3 and 6 inches or more within just 24 to 48 hours, close to a full year's worth of rain in two days in some parts.

Is it safe to drive to the airport today?

Use caution. Roads are flooded in parts of the city, particularly underpasses and low-lying areas. Leave extra time, follow official guidance, and avoid known flood-prone routes.

When will the weather improve in Dubai?

The National Centre of Meteorology expects conditions to ease over the weekend. Saturday is looking significantly better than Friday.

Is there a tornado risk in Dubai today?

Forecasters have flagged a small chance of isolated desert tornadoes, but any would be at the low end of the severity scale. The main risks for travelers today are flooding, reduced visibility, and strong wind gusts.

Which other UAE cities are affected?

Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and areas near the Strait of Hormuz are also dealing with the same weather system. Northern Oman, Bahrain, and Qatar face similar conditions.

What should I do if my flight is delayed or cancelled?

Contact your airline directly through their official website or app. Emirates: emirat.es/managebooking. Etihad: etihad.com/manage. flydubai: flydubai.com. Avoid third-party rebooking services and any contact through social media.

What are the emergency numbers in Dubai?

Dubai Civil Defense: 997. Dubai Ambulance: 998. Dubai Police: 999.