UAE reopens airspace after brief shutdown as Iran attacks keep region on edge

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2026-03-17 02:33:28

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A smoke plume rises from an ongoing fire near Dubai International Airport in Dubai on March 16, 2026.

| Afp | Getty Images

The United Arab Emirates reopened its airspace on Tuesday after a brief shutdown, as Iran continued missile and drone attacks in a conflict with the U.S. and Israel now in its third week.

The UAE’s Defense Ministry said Monday that air defenses have intercepted more than 300 ballistic missiles and 1,600 drones so far.

The General Civil Aviation Authority said the decision followed a comprehensive assessment of operational and security conditions and was made in coordination with relevant authorities. It added that real-time monitoring of the situation remains in place to ensure the highest levels of aviation safety.

The temporary but full closure of its airspace lasted nearly two hours, which the regulator said was an “exceptional precautionary measure aimed at ensuring the safety of flights and air crews, and safeguarding the UAE’s territory, amid rapidly evolving regional security developments.”

The move followed disruptions at Dubai International Airport, which resumed a limited flight schedule on Monday after a drone strike hit a fuel depot and triggered a fire. Authorities said no injuries were reported from the strike, the fourth drone-related incident to occur at the airport.

The disruption comes amid broader flight cancellations and rerouting across the Middle East, as airlines reassess operations through the region’s increasingly volatile airspace.

British Airways said Monday it extended a temporary reduction to its Middle East flight schedule due to ongoing uncertainty, affecting flights from Abu Dhabi, Amman, Bahrain, Doha, Dubai and Tel Aviv.

The airline said it is keeping the situation under constant review and is in direct contact with affected customers to offer travel options.

The IAG-owned airline has operated eight relief flights from Muscat, Oman, and added flights to and from Singapore and Bangkok to support travelers impacted by the situation.

— CNBC’s Emma Graham contributed to this report.

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