Emirates told passengers ‘please do not go to the airport’ as all flights were suspended following missile and drone threats from Iran
A major airline grounded all flights from a popular British holiday destination airport. Emirates revealed on Saturday morning that all departures from Dubai airport had been suspended.
In a statement, the carrier said the safety of passengers and crew remains its “highest priority” and would not be compromised. On X, the airline posted: “Please do not go to the airport. Emirates will share updates when available. We would like to thank our customers for their understanding and patience.
“The safety of our passengers and crew is our highest priority and will not be compromised.” Shortly afterwards, the airline announced that all long-haul flights to and from Dubai will resume.
This follows the announcement from the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Defence that they are addressing missile and drone threats emanating from Iran.
They verified that the explosions heard in the vicinity were due to the interception of ballistic missiles by air defence systems and fighter jets eliminating drones.
Debris and fragments have plummeted from the sky after air-defence systems in Dubai intercepted a strike overhead – as those near the airport reported hearing a thunderous ‘boom’ above.
Reports had been spreading online regarding a potential incident or blast near Dubai Airport – it has now been confirmed that a minor incident has occurred and been ‘successfully contained’.
Aircraft bound for Dubai International Airport – which is the world’s busiest for international travel and has been attempting to resume service – circled at a distance just before the interception.
No-one has been hurt and ‘an interception has been successfully contained, according to authorities.
A spokesperson for the Dubai Media Office said: “Dubai authorities have confirmed that a minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception has been successfully contained.
“No injuries have been reported. Authorities have also denied reports circulating on social media regarding any incidents at Dubai International Airport.”
It comes as Iran’s Mehrabad Airport in Tehran has been targeted in a wave of airstrikes. Footage shows the sky lit up in red with a large fire breaking out.
The Israeli military has announced it is initiating a “broad-scale new wave of strikes” in the country – the IDF [Israel Defence Federation] alleges that Iran has fired several missiles.
Close to 20,000 flights across the Middle East have been cancelled since last weekend, following attacks on Iran by the U.S. and Israel.
In a social media post on Friday, Mr Trump declared “There will be no deal with Iran except UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!”.
Following a surrender, “and the selection of a GREAT and ACCEPTABLE Leader(s),” he stated that the US and its allies would assist in rebuilding Iran, making it “economically bigger, better, and stronger than ever before”.
The conflict has resulted in at least 1,230 fatalities in Iran, over 200 in Lebanon and approximately a dozen in Israel, according to officials from these countries.
Mr Pezeshkian posted on social media that “some countries” had initiated mediation efforts, without providing further details.
Mr Trump has also informed media outlets that he should have a say in selecting a successor for Mr Khamenei, who was killed in the initial strikes of the war. He spoke disparagingly of the former leader’s son Mojtaba Khamenei – a leading contender to replace his father – labelling him “a lightweight”.