Dubai International Airport (DXB), the world's busiest hub for international passenger traffic, was temporarily closed early Monday, March 16, 2026, following a drone-related incident that ignited a fire at a nearby fuel tank, but authorities have since announced a gradual resumption of flights as safety assessments continue.
The disruption, attributed to a drone strike in the vicinity of the airport, prompted the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority to suspend all operations around 6:30 a.m. local time as a precautionary measure to protect passengers, staff and crew. No injuries were reported from the incident, which Dubai's media office described as a "drone-related fire" impacting fuel infrastructure outside the main airport perimeter.
