Hope for trapped Brits as restricted flights resume in Dubai after missile assaults
Dubai Airports has announced the limited resumption of flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), beginning this evening, Monday, March 2, 2026.
The airline issued an emergency “red alert,” grounding operations until at least 3 p.m. local time Sunday(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
There’s fresh hope for thousands of stranded Brits in Dubai, United Emirates Arab (UAE), as flights begin to resume from UAE airports following the wave of missile attacks that rocked the region. Nevertheless, travellers are being urged not to head to the airport unless their airline has confirmed their departure.
Dubai Airports have announced the limited resumption of flights from Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC), beginning this evening, Monday, March 2, 2026. Travellers are being advised not to head to the airport unless their airline has contacted them directly to confirm their departure time.
Thousands of passengers found themselves stranded on Sunday (March 1) after Emirates cancelled all flights to and from Dubai on Saturday (February 28) amidst escalating tensions in Iran and across the Middle East.
The carrier issued an emergency “red alert”, suspending operations until at least 3 p. m. local time Sunday, citing widespread regional airspace closures that effectively sealed off the skies. Emirates said it is “actively monitoring” the volatile situation as officials work through the developing crisis.
All operations at the globe’s busiest international airport were subsequently halted early Monday following overnight security incidents linked to Iran’s retaliatory military actions across the region. Authorities confirmed limited infrastructure damage at Dubai International, prompting precautionary shutdowns and widespread cancellations, reports the Mirror US.
In neighbouring Abu Dhabi, an incident at Zayed International Airport resulted in one fatality involving an Asian national and seven injuries, according to airport officials, who urged the public not to speculate whilst investigations continue. Dubai officials have separately confirmed that four airport staff members were injured after a concourse suffered minor damage during the same period of heightened security measures.
Worldwide, disruption seems to be rippling across numerous Middle Eastern markets. Out of 5,340 planned flights into the region, 1,555 had been cancelled – a cancellation rate of 29.12%, according to International Airport Review.
The announcement from Dubai follows mass cancellations and rerouting of flights by airlines operating in the Middle East on Saturday, in the wake of U.S. and Israeli military strikes on Iran. Iran retaliated by launching a series of counterattacks, with Israel and four Gulf Arab nations hosting U.S. military bases – Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the UAE – coming under attack.
British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, and Wizz Air were among the airlines that scaled back services to Middle Eastern destinations, citing safety concerns. Tensions escalated further as Iran launched missiles and drones across the region in response to the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian targets, including weapons facilities and leadership compounds.
The attacks sent shockwaves through Gulf cities, rocked Dubai’s skyline, and reportedly damaged landmarks such as Dubai International Airport and the Burj Al Arab hotel, whilst debris from intercepted missiles ignited fires and caused additional disruptions. UAE authorities have reported that sophisticated air defence systems intercepted numerous threats, shooting down 137 missiles and over 200 drones, although debris still landed in populated areas.
Emergency alerts prompted residents to seek shelter, major airports remained shut, thousands of flights were cancelled, and the Dubai and Abu Dhabi stock exchanges were closed for several days due to market instability. U.S. officials have confirmed the death of a fourth American service member since the conflict erupted on Saturday with joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites.
The Iranian Red Crescent has reported an estimated death toll of 550 people in Iran thus far. Iranian state media announced on Sunday that Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Hosseini Khamenei was killed alongside family members and high-ranking officials.
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