Dubai: Flight operations at Dubai International Airport have slowly resumed after a drone strike early Monday caused a fire and forced authorities to temporarily suspend air traffic.
According to officials, the drone struck a fuel tank in the airport area during the early morning hours. The impact triggered a fire, prompting emergency services to respond quickly. Firefighters managed to bring the blaze under control and no injuries were reported.
As a safety precaution, airport authorities halted flights for several hours while emergency crews worked at the scene and safety inspections were carried out. Several incoming flights were diverted to other nearby airports while some departures were delayed.
The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority later announced that flights had started operating again to selected destinations as conditions at the airport stabilized. Passengers were advised to check with their airlines for updates before travelling to the airport.
Emirates Airline said it had restarted limited operations after the temporary suspension. However, the airline also confirmed that some flights were cancelled or delayed as services gradually returned to normal.
Dubai International Airport is one of the busiest airports in the world for international travel. Even a short disruption can affect flights across many global routes. Airport authorities said they are continuing to monitor the situation closely while investigations are underway into the drone incident.