Air India, Air India Express cancel all Dubai flights after drone strike near airport

Air India said that the decision was taken because the Dubai International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations.

Updated on: Mar 16, 2026, 11:18:15 IST

By HT News Desk

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Air India and its budget carrier Air India Express on Monday announced the cancellation of all its flight to and from Dubai, hours after a drone strike was reported near the airport.

Air India and Air India Express have announced the cancellation of all flights to and from Dubai. (REUTERS)

In a tweet, Air India said that the decision was taken because the Dubai International Airport has temporarily suspended all flight operations. It also said that passengers can either reschedule their flights for another date or cancel their booking and get a full refund.

Follow live updates on the situation in Dubai here.

“We sincerely regret the inconvenience caused by these unavoidable operational constraints,” the airline said, adding that the staff would be available to assist all passengers.

While the Dubai flights stand cancelled, Air India Express' ad-hoc flight operations to and from Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah will continue as announced, the airline said.

A fire was reported near Dubai's international airport on Monday after a drone-related incident, authorities said. "A drone incident in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport (DXB) affected one of the fuel tanks," the Dubai Media Office posted on X.

Shortly after, the Dubai airport announced the suspension of flights for the day and major airlines like Emirates also advised passengers to not approach the airport. A Dubai-bound flight of the airline from Kochi returned hours after take-off following the drone incident near the airport.

Among all Middle Eastern countries targeted by Iran, the UAE has been worst hit, having engaged in 1,600 drones and more than 300 missiles since the conflict began.

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HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

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