As retaliatory strikes on Dubai and multiple other cities across the Middle East unfolded followed a joint U.S.-Israeli attack targeting Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei, four people were injured in a direct hit to Dubai International Airport (DUB).
The busiest airport in the world for international traffic has been closed since the early hours of Feb. 28 as part of a wider airspace closure over wide swaths of Iran, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain, and Israel.
In the late hours of Saturday night, Feb. 28, United Arab Emirates authorities confirmed “an incident” at Dubai International that injured four. Dramatic images quickly spread on social media, showing airport workers and other people left behind at the airport after it closed down running amid a plume of smoke during ongoing strikes in multiple UAE locations.
“A concourse at Dubai International sustained minor damage”
Visible debris and damage to one of the terminal areas can also be seen in the clips.
“A concourse at Dubai International sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained,” Dubai Airports said in a statement on the incident published on Saturday night. “Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers.”
Related: Which flights are canceled over U.S. strike on Iran
Given the widespread chaos across the region, neither the airport nor UAE authorities have released additional information on the situation. Local and international airlines have canceled approximately 900 flights into the region throughout the weekend, as an emergency alert sent to every phone in Dubai and Abu Dhabi advised anyone in the area to “seek immediate shelter” at the nearest available location.
“Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention,” the airport said further. “Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers.”
Fairmont The Palm Dubai was one of the hotels hit by debris from an Iranian drone on Feb. 28.
Fairmont The Palm
What is happening to Middle Eastern airspace right now
The five-star Burj Al Arab hotel in the luxury Jumeirah Beach neighborhood was also hit by drone debris in a fire that caused no injuries and was immediately extinguished, according to early reporting from GMA News Online.
Local airlines such as Emirates, Qatar Airways, and flyDubai have also canceled all service throughout the first days of March in response to a highly volatile situation and early reports around Khamenei’s death.
More Travel News:
- Airline to launch unusual new flight to Cayman Islands from the U.S.
- United Airlines CEO gives stark warning on Olympic Games
- Unexpected country is most luxurious travel destination for 2026
- US government issues sudden warning on Switzerland travel
“We are actively monitoring the situation and engaging with relevant authorities,” Emirates said in a statement on the situation that also urges travelers to monitor the status of their flight booking. “We apologise to customers affected by disruptions for any inconvenience caused, and we are assisting them with rebooking, refunds, or alternative travel arrangements.”
Flights into or out of Dubai World Central — Al Maktoum International (DWC), a smaller airport southwest of the capital that is used primarily for cargo and private jet flights —are also suspended until further notice.
A passenger advisory urges anyone with booked flights “not to travel to the airport and to contact their airline for the latest information on flights and travel options.”
This article will be updated as more information becomes available.
Related: Fairmont hotel in Dubai set aflame after Iranian strike