Early this morning, an Iranian drone struck a fuel storage tank in the area near Dubai International Airport. A fire started immediately. Dubai Civil Defence teams rushed to the location and brought the blaze under control quickly. No one was hurt in today’s strike. However, the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority acted fast. It announced the temporary suspension of all flights at DXB as a precautionary measure.
In a statement posted on X, the Dubai Media Office said: the drone hit a fuel tank near the airport. Civil Defence teams worked to bring the fire under control. All passengers and staff were safe. Dubai Airports then announced that some flights were being diverted from DXB to Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), which is located roughly 35 km from Dubai’s city centre in Jebel Ali.
The India-UAE air corridor is the busiest in the world. Over 80 flights operated daily between Indian cities and Dubai before the war. However, since February 28, the corridor has been severely disrupted. Here is the full status of Indian airlines today, March 16.
Air India and Air India Express are together operating 48 scheduled and unscheduled flights to and from the West Asia region today. Scheduled flights to Jeddah and Muscat continue — with 10 flights between India and Jeddah. However, ad-hoc flights to the UAE are severely limited. All Air India Express flights to Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah the airline cancelled for today. Only limited Dubai flights remain. Also, Air India is proactively contacting affected passengers — update your mobile number on the Air India app to receive alerts.
IndiGo has suspended operations to 7 Middle East destinations. However, it is operating some routes via Muscat and Jeddah. The airline is closely monitoring the situation and contacting affected passengers directly. Do not go to the airport without an IndiGo confirmation message. Also, flexible rebooking at no extra charge is available for all cancelled flights.
Emirates announced a temporary suspension of flights to and from Dubai following this morning’s strike. Also, two flights from Kerala — one from Thiruvananthapuram and one from Kochi — turned back mid-air and landed safely at their origin airports. Emirates is offering flexible rebooking. Furthermore, KLM has cancelled all Dubai flights through March 28. Airlines like British Airways are operating repatriation flights from Muscat.
SpiceJet stepped in to operate 7 special relief flights between March 15 and 16. These target stranded Indians in Fujairah and Dubai and bring them to Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune. So if you are stranded, check SpiceJet’s current schedule as an alternative option to get back to India.
⚠️ Key Rule for All Passengers: Do NOT travel to Dubai Airport (DXB) or Al Maktoum Airport (DWC) unless your airline has directly contacted you to confirm your flight is operating. Conditions can change within hours. Also, if your flight is cancelled, you are entitled to a full refund or free rebooking — so do not panic-buy a new ticket at inflated prices.
This is the most urgent warning for every Indian in the UAE right now. The UAE government on Sunday, March 15, ordered the arrest of 35 people — including 19 Indian nationals — for posting misleading and fabricated videos on social media about the crisis. The Attorney-General of the UAE, Dr Hamad Saif Al Shamsi, confirmed the move. Authorities sent all accused for an expedited trial.
The arrests came in two batches. The first batch had 10 people — including 2 Indians. The second batch had 25 more — including 17 Indians. The UAE says the posts contained content intended to “incite public disorder and undermine general stability.” Also, a British tourist was arrested earlier this week for filming missiles hitting Dubai and posting the footage online. UAE courts can sentence him up to 2 years in prison under UAE cybercrime law. Furthermore, even reposting or sharing such videos can lead to charges.
✅ What Every Indian in UAE Must Do Right Now — Step by Step
Go to madad.gov.in and register yourself and your family. This is the Indian government’s emergency consular services portal. In an evacuation, India will prioritise registered citizens. Also, update your current UAE address and phone number. Do this even if you feel safe — it takes 5 minutes and could be critical later.
Keep your passport, Emirates ID, UAE visa, and flight tickets in one place — not in a suitcase. Also keep ₹10,000–₹20,000 (or equivalent in AED) in cash. Bank transfers and digital payments can fail during emergencies. Furthermore, take photos of all documents and store them on Google Drive or WhatsApp — accessible offline. Share copies with a trusted family member in India.
This is the #1 rule right now. Check your airline app or website before leaving home. Also call the airline helpline. DXB is operating on a limited basis. Dubai Airports is diverting some flights to DWC — 35 km from the city. Going to the wrong airport without confirmation wastes time and money. Also, check within 1 hour of your departure time — the situation changes quickly.
Follow the Dubai Media Office, Indian Embassy Abu Dhabi, and Indian Consulate Dubai on X (Twitter). These are the only reliable real-time sources. Do not trust WhatsApp forwards, Telegram channels, or YouTube live streams from unofficial accounts. Also, delete any videos or posts about the conflict from your own accounts — even if you posted them innocently. The UAE is monitoring social media actively right now.
The Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi and the Consulate in Dubai have opened 24/7 helplines. Call +971 50 8995583 if you are stranded, injured, or need urgent help. Also, SpiceJet is operating special relief flights from Fujairah and Dubai to Delhi, Mumbai, and Pune. Furthermore, Air India says it is continuously exploring more flights. So if your flight is cancelled, do not panic — call the helpline and wait for official guidance.
Call them right now. Emirates flights from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi turned back this morning. Passengers from those flights are now at Trivandrum and Kochi airports. Airlines are rebooking them. Contact Emirates directly at their India helpline or check the Emirates app for rebooking options. Also, Air India Express operates from Kozhikode, Kochi, Thiruvananthapuram, Kannur, and Mangalore — check their schedule for the next available flight to Muscat or Jeddah as an alternative route back to UAE if needed.
💬 Frequently Asked Questions — Dubai Airport Attack March 16
Is Dubai Airport open or closed right now on March 16, 2026?
Dubai Airport (DXB) had a temporary suspension of flights this morning after the drone attack on a fuel tank. Dubai Civil Defence contained the fire quickly. DXB is now restoring limited operations gradually. However, Dubai Airports diverted some flights to Al Maktoum Airport (DWC). Do NOT go to DXB without direct confirmation from your airline that your specific flight is operating. Check within 1 hour of departure.
Why were 19 Indians arrested in UAE and what were they charged with?
The UAE arrested 35 people — including 19 Indians — for sharing misleading and fabricated videos about the Iran war on social media. The UAE charged them under cybercrime laws for distributing content that could disturb public security and undermine stability. The UAE Attorney-General confirmed the arrests. Authorities sent all accused for an expedited trial. Even reposting similar content from UAE soil can lead to charges.
My flight from Kerala to Dubai the airline cancelled — what should I do?
First, contact your airline directly — Emirates, Air India Express, or IndiGo — and ask for a free rebooking or full refund. Do not buy a new ticket at inflated prices. Also, consider flying to Muscat or Jeddah first, as those routes are operating more reliably. Furthermore, check SpiceJet’s special relief flights from Dubai and Fujairah if you need to return to India urgently. Call the Air India Express WhatsApp line (+91 63600 12345) for quick help.
Is it safe to be in Dubai right now as an Indian worker?
The UAE has intercepted over 2,000 drones and missiles since February 28. UAE air defences intercept most of them. However, debris and direct hits are still occurring across Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The Indian Embassy rates the situation as “heightened caution.” So it is not fully safe but it is also not a direct combat zone for most civilian areas. Follow official advisories, register on MADAD, and stay away from areas near airports, ports, and oil facilities.
How do I get a refund if my Dubai flight was cancelled?
All major airlines — Air India, Air India Express, Emirates, and IndiGo — are offering full refunds or free rebooking for cancelled flights. Contact your airline directly via their official app, website, or helpline. For Air India, call +91 11 6932 9333. For Air India Express, use WhatsApp at +91 63600 12345. For Emirates, call +971 600 555 555. Do not use third-party travel agents for refunds — go directly to the airline to avoid delays.
How many Indians are in the UAE and are they at risk?
About 3.5 million Indians live in the UAE — the largest expatriate community in the country. The Indian Embassy has issued a “Heightened Caution” advisory. The embassy has opened round-the-clock helplines. Also, India’s Ministry of External Affairs is tracking the situation closely. If the conflict escalates further, India could face its largest-ever evacuation operation. The government has contingency plans ready.
