Both of Dubai's airports — Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central Al Maktoum International (DWC) — have suspended all flight operations indefinitely following Iranian missile strikes on UAE territory. DXB, the world's busiest international airport handling over 89 million passengers annually, went dark at approximately 02:30 UAE time on February 28, 2026. Etihad Airways has announced suspension of all flights until at least 14:00 UAE time on March 1, though analysts expect this deadline to be extended.
The suspension affects an estimated 260,000 daily passengers who normally transit through DXB. Emirates, the flagship carrier, has grounded its entire fleet of over 250 aircraft and diverted 47 planes that were airborne when the strikes began. These diverted aircraft have landed at airports across India, Pakistan, Turkey, and East Africa. Passengers aboard diverted flights are being accommodated at hotels near their diversion airports at airline expense.
Airport authorities have converted terminal buildings into temporary shelters for stranded passengers, providing cots, blankets, food, and water. The crisis hotline at +971-4-224-5555 is operational around the clock. Dubai Duty Free shops remain open for basic necessities. Cargo operations are also fully suspended, disrupting global supply chains that depend on DXB as a logistics hub between East and West.
Etihad Airways announced suspension of all departures and arrivals until 14:00 UAE time on March 1, joining Emirates and other carriers in grounding operations.
Dubai International Airport and Dubai World Central have suspended all flight operations following multiple waves of Iranian ballistic missiles targeting UAE territory. Thousands of passengers stranded across terminals.
Airports across the region have halted operations including Dubai DXB, Dubai DWC, Doha DOH, Bahrain BAH, Kuwait KWI, Tel Aviv TLV, Tehran IKA, and Isfahan IFN. Airlines rerouting hundreds of flights.
The three major Gulf carriers announced indefinite suspension of all operations. Emirates diverted 47 aircraft currently en route. Tens of thousands of passengers stranded globally.
Airlines worldwide are scrambling to reroute flights as airspace closures now span from the eastern Mediterranean to the Persian Gulf. Eurocontrol issued warnings for all flights routing through the region.
The State Department issued Level 4 Do Not Travel advisories for Iran, Iraq, and the entire Persian Gulf region. An estimated 50,000 American citizens are currently in the affected area.
European flag carriers including British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France, and KLM suspended all services to the Middle East through at least March 7. Passengers offered full refunds or rebooking.
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