Dubai Airports on Saturday confirmed the temporary closure of all flight operations at Dubai International (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC) as tensions between Israel and Iran sharply worsened.
The suspension follows a wave of airspace closures across parts of the Middle East after Israeli strikes targeted Tehran, prompting several nations in the region to restrict civilian air traffic.
In a public advisory issued on X, Dubai Airports instructed, “Flight operations at @DXB and Dubai World Central — Al Maktoum International (DWC) have been suspended until further notice. Guests are advised not to travel to the airport, and to check with their airlines for flight updates.”
⚠️ UPDATE: Flight operations at @DXB and Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC) have been suspended until further notice.
Guests are advised not to travel to the airport, and to check with their airlines for flight updates.
— DXB (@DXB) February 28, 2026
“We appreciate the cooperation of our guests. Further updates will be provided as we continue to monitor the situation,” it added.
Major Aviation Hub Brought to a Standstill
Dubai International ranks among the world’s busiest airports, handling in excess of 8,500 flights each week — more than 1,200 services per day — through a network of over 100 airlines.
Prominent carriers, including Emirates, flydubai, IndiGo and Air India, operate routes linking Dubai with upwards of 270 global destinations.
The wider Gulf region has also faced major disruption to air travel. Airlines were forced to cancel flights, divert aircraft or modify routes to safeguard passengers.
Israel quickly closed its airspace to civilian aircraft following the strikes. Several European and Gulf carriers either suspended services or altered their flight paths to avoid the affected areas.
Flydubai earlier stated that a number of its scheduled flights had been affected. The disruption was caused by the temporary closure of Iranian, Iraqi and Israeli airspace.
Air India announced the suspension of its Middle East operations, citing the deteriorating security climate. The carrier stated that it would continue evaluating the situation and make operational decisions based on safety assessments.
Air India Express similarly paused all westbound international flights in view of the unfolding developments in the Gulf.
Also Read: Indian Diplomatic Missions In The Gulf Region Ask Citizens To Exercise Heightened Caution
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