Drone attacks damaged facilities at Dubai International (DXB), Zayed International (AUH), and Kuwait International (KWI) airports, causing injuries and operational suspensions as Gulf airspace closures continue.
Drone Strike Damages Concourse at Dubai International
Dubai International Airport confirmed that a concourse sustained minor damage following a drone-related incident on Saturday, February 28.
Four staff members sustained injuries and received medical attention. Due to contingency measures already in place amid regional tensions, most terminals had been cleared of passengers before the incident.
In a statement, Dubai Airports said emergency response teams were immediately deployed and managed the situation in coordination with relevant authorities.
“Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained,” stated an aiprort spokesperson.
Videos circulating online showed debris inside parts of the terminal and smoke visible in the concourse area, while emergency vehicles were positioned airside and landside.
Later Saturday, Emirates announced it had suspended all operations at DXB until 1500 local time on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The airline cited multiple regional airspace closures and safety considerations.
Emirates said passengers booked to travel within the next 72 hours could rebook within 10 days of the original departure date or request a refund. The carrier urged customers to check flight status before proceeding to the airport and confirmed it is monitoring the situation with the relevant authorities.
Fatality and Injuries at Zayed International Airport
Zayed International Airport also reported an incident on Saturday.
Abu Dhabi Airports confirmed one fatality involving an Asian national and seven injuries following a drone strike at the airport. No further operational details were immediately released.
“Abu Dhabi Airports has confirmed that an incident took place at Zayed International Airport and resulted in one fatality involving an Asian national and 7 injuries,” stated an airport statement.
Moreover, the airport authorities urged the public to rely only on official sources and avoid circulating unverified information.
Dubai International and Zayed International are among the busiest international transit hubs globally. Combined with closures in Qatar, Bahrain, Iraq, Iran, Israel, and Jordan, the strikes significantly restrict key east–west air corridors linking Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia.
Drone Strike at Kuwait International Airport
Kuwait International Airport was also struck earlier Saturday.
Kuwait’s Public Authority for Civil Aviation confirmed that a drone hit the airport, causing injuries and structural damage. The authority said the site was secured and damage assessments were underway to determine required repairs.
Officials did not confirm the origin of the drone. Operational impacts were not fully detailed, though the strike coincided with broader airspace closures across the region.
Kuwait had already declared its airspace closed following the escalation between Iran and Israel, further compounding the disruption.
Hotel Also Struck in Dubai
The airport was not the only site in Dubai affected.
Fairmont The Palm was also struck by a drone, resulting in a major fire at the property. Further details on casualties or structural damage at the hotel were not immediately available.
With multiple civilian and aviation targets impacted, Gulf aviation operations remain highly constrained as governments continue security assessments and airspace restrictions.
