Emirates resumes flights as authorities contain debris from interception

3 minutes of readingUpdated: Mar 7, 2026 02:51 pm IST

Operations at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended on Saturday as authorities responded to a “minor” security incident, officials said. According to social media posts, the pause in operations was implemented as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers, airport staff and airline crews, and procedures were carried out in accordance with established safety protocols.

In a statement, the Dubai Media Office said the situation was related to falling debris following an intercept, adding that the incident had been contained.

“Dubai authorities have confirmed that a minor incident resulting from falling debris following an interception has been successfully contained. No injuries have been reported,” the office said in a post on X.

Authorities also denied reports circulating on social media suggesting that an incident had occurred at the airport itself.

Dubai’s long-haul airline Emirates said it would resume operations after temporarily suspending them following an Iranian attack on the city-state. The news sparked cheers at Dubai International Airport, where passengers had taken shelter after hearing a loud bang overhead.

Emirates resumes operations

Emirates will resume operations. Passengers who have confirmed reservations for this afternoon’s flights will be able to go to the airport. This includes customers transiting through Dubai, if their connecting flight is also operational.

Customers can check the flight… pic.twitter.com/kSlcEGKCCz

— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 7, 2026

https://plataforma.twitter.com/widgets.js

Authorities have not explained whether there was an interception or damage at the airport, which is the world’s busiest for international travel.

Flights seen flying over Dubai

Online flight tracking service Flightradar24 showed that several Dubai-bound flights entered holding patterns over the airport during the disruption.

Story continues below this ad.

The data indicated that planes were flying over the area while airport authorities managed the situation on the ground.

Videos claim drone attack

The developments came as videos circulating on social media appeared to show what users claimed was a drone attack near the airport earlier that day. The authenticity of the clips could not be independently verified.

Watch the moment a drone hit the runway at Dubai International Airport, forcing all flights to be suspended on Saturday. pic.twitter.com/uU2msQeSX1

— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) March 7, 2026

https://plataforma.twitter.com/widgets.js

Authorities have not confirmed any drone strikes and reiterated that reports of an incident at Dubai International Airport are inaccurate.

<br />

The Indian Express’ Express Global Desk offers authoritative, fact-checked and context-based coverage of key international developments shaping global migration politics, policies and trends. The section focuses on stories with direct relevance to Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explanations and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is U.S. visa and immigration policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely follows Canada’s immigration, visa and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residency programs and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All Global Desk reports conform to The Indian Express editorial standards and are based on official data, government notifications, court documents and proprietary sources. The desktop prioritizes clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep experience in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar, Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats: Deputy editor specializing in American politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-based international coverage. Mashkoora Khan: Deputy editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on policy coverage related to Canada studies, immigration and visas. … Read more

Stay up to date with the latest – click here to follow us on Instagram

Click Here to Get More