Drone Attack Sparks Fire at Dubai Airport, Flights Temporarily Suspended

A drone struck a fuel tank at Dubai International Airport early Monday, March 16, 2026, sparking a fire that forced the temporary suspension of flights. The fire was successfully contained with no injuries reported, but Emirates and other airlines grounded flights as a precaution. Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announced gradual resumption of flights to select destinations, with some flights diverted to Al Maktoum airport while others entered holding patterns off the coast. The incident occurred as the Middle East conflict entered its third week following joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28.