Iran Strikes Target Major Gulf Aviation Hubs; Dubai Airport Evacuated

Dramatic scenes unfolded at Dubai International Airport (DXB) and other major Gulf travel hubs on March 1, 2026, as Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes across the region. The attacks, targeting countries hosting U.S. military assets, have caused unprecedented global travel chaos and multiple casualties.

Chaos at Dubai International Airport (DXB)

• The Incident: Footage from early Sunday showed passengers fleeing smoke-filled terminals and debris-strewn concourses. Official reports confirm that a concourse at DXB sustained minor structural damage during the strikes.
• Casualties: Four airport staff members were injured. Fortunately, many terminals had been partially cleared of passengers prior to the strike due to existing contingency plans.
• Other Dubai Landmarks Hit: Debris from intercepted drones sparked a fire on the facade of the iconic Burj Al Arab hotel and at a berth in Jebel Ali Port.

Broader Regional Impact

• Abu Dhabi: One person was killed and seven others were injured at Zayed International Airport after shrapnel from an intercepted drone hit the facility.
• Qatar & Bahrain: Blasts were heard near Doha and Manama for a second consecutive day. Qatar reported a fire in an industrial zone caused by falling debris.
• Kuwait: Reports indicate that airports in Kuwait were also targeted as the wave of Iranian retaliation widened.

Unprecedented Aviation Shutdown

• Flight Suspensions: All operations at DXB and Al Maktoum International (DWC) are suspended “until further notice.”
• Global Scale: Over 3,400 flights were canceled across the Middle East on Sunday alone. Major carriers, including Emirates, Etihad, and Qatar Airways, have grounded fleets, leaving hundreds of thousands of travelers stranded worldwide.
• Airspace Closures: Airspace over the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Iraq remains virtually empty as civil aviation authorities implement emergency safety measures.

The strikes are a direct response to “Operation Epic Fury,” the joint U.S.-Israeli campaign that reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on February 28.