Emirates flight diversion to India as Drone Strike Shuts Dubai Airport

An Emirates Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai flight had to turn back midway following the closure of Dubai International Airport. The airport official shared ‘Emirates flight returns to Thiruvananthapuram’ after drone strike possibilities.

Flights were suspended for a short time at Dubai International Airport following a drone-related incident taken place near the airport. The information is shared by the authorities on Monday, as tensions linked to the ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel and Iran. The Middle East conflict aviation disruption continues to impact the region.

According to the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority, the deferral was forced as a self-protective measure to make sure the security of passengers and staff.

The Dubai Media Office said in a post on X, "Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the temporary suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff. Travellers are advised to contact their respective airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights. Further updates will be announced through official channels as soon as they become available".

Xinhua news agency reported that Gulf States have been hit by waves of missile and drone attacks. The US-Israeli war on Iran on February 28, with the United Arab Emirates reporting interception of over 1,500 drones so far.

The incident starts at a time when Iran has fired more than 1,800 missiles and drones at the UAE since the beginning of the ongoing Middle East conflict. It turns the UAE into the most targeted country. The barrage has disrupted travel in the Gulf financial centre, although air defence systems have intercepted most of the projectiles.

Iran has besieged both US assets and civilian sites, like airports, ports and oil facilities across the Gulf, after US-Israeli strikes hit its headship.