A smoke plume rises from an ongoing hearth close to Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026.
– | Afp | Getty Images
The United Arab Emirates reopened its airspace on Tuesday after a quick shutdown, as Iran continued missile and drone assaults in a battle with the U.S. and Israel now in its third week.
The UAE’s Defense Ministry mentioned Monday that air defenses have intercepted greater than 300 ballistic missiles and 1,600 drones up to now.
The General Civil Aviation Authority mentioned the choice adopted a complete evaluation of operational and safety circumstances and was made in coordination with related authorities. It added that real-time monitoring of the scenario stays in place to make sure the very best ranges of aviation security.
The temporary but full closure of its airspace lasted almost two hours, which the regulator mentioned was an “exceptional precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of flights and air crews, and safeguarding the UAE’s territory, amid rapidly evolving regional security developments.”
The transfer adopted disruptions at Dubai International Airport, which resumed a limited flight schedule on Monday after a drone strike hit a gas depot and triggered a fireplace. Authorities mentioned no accidents had been reported from the strike, the fourth drone-related incident to happen on the airport.
The disruption comes amid broader flight cancellations and rerouting throughout the Middle East, as airways reassess operations by the area’s more and more unstable airspace.
British Airways mentioned Monday it prolonged a brief discount to its Middle East flight schedule attributable to ongoing uncertainty, affecting flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv.
The airline mentioned it’s preserving the scenario below fixed evaluation and is in direct contact with affected clients to supply journey choices.
The IAG-owned airline has operated eight aid flights from Muscat, Oman, and added flights to and from Singapore and Bangkok to assist vacationers impacted by the scenario.
— CNBC’s Emma Graham contributed to this report.
