Flights operated by Emirates were briefly suspended on Saturday following a temporary halt in operations at Dubai International Airport due to security concerns. The airport later resumed services after authorities assessed the situation and confirmed it was safe to restart operations.
The airline said passengers can check the status of their flights through its official website if the booking was made directly. Those who booked through travel agents have been advised to contact their agents for updated flight information.
Temporary Suspension After Missile Threat
The suspension came amid a fresh missile threat in Dubai and hours after authorities reported a “minor incident” caused by debris from an intercepted missile falling in the area. Airport authorities briefly halted operations to ensure the safety of passengers, airline crew and ground staff.
Earlier in the day, flight-tracking data from FlightRadar24 indicated that several aircraft were seen circling in the airspace above Dubai before being cleared to land once the situation stabilised.
Limited Operations Through Safe Air Corridors
Before the temporary suspension, Emirates had been operating limited flight services from Dubai and Abu Dhabi using designated safe air corridors due to heightened regional tensions.
In a statement, the airline emphasised that passenger and crew safety remains its top priority and that operational decisions are being taken with strict safety considerations.
Rebooking and Refund Options for Passengers
Emirates has provided several options for passengers affected by the disruption:
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Rebooking: Passengers with bookings until March 31 can reschedule their flights to another date before April 30.
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Refund Requests: Travellers who wish to cancel their journey can request a refund by contacting the airline directly or through their travel agent if the ticket was booked externally.
Rising Tensions in the Middle East
The disruption comes amid escalating tensions following a recent attack by the United States and Israel on Iran, which has heightened security concerns across the Middle East.
In recent days, cities such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi have reportedly faced drone and missile threats, with authorities in the United Arab Emirates saying that hundreds of projectiles have been intercepted.
Some buildings in affected areas reportedly sustained minor damage, though authorities have managed to prevent major casualties.
Meanwhile, several international airlines have begun limited operations as countries work to evacuate their nationals from parts of the Middle East amid the ongoing tensions.
