Amid rising regional tensions, the UAE’s aviation regulator announced a complete closure of the country’s airspace, even as flights continued operating at key airports shortly after the declaration.
The General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) said early Tuesday (March 17) that all civilian airspace would be shut as an “exceptional precautionary measure” due to “rapidly evolving regional security developments.”
The announcement, issued at 3:14 am via a state-run news agency, created confusion. By 4 am, flights were still taking off and landing at Dubai International Airport and Abu Dhabi International Airport.
The move followed an Iranian drone strike on a large fuel tank near Dubai International Airport, close to the Royal Air Wing terminal. Flights had been briefly suspended after the attack but resumed at 10 am on March 16 with some cancellations. Emirates, Etihad Airways, and Air Arabia were allowed to operate, while foreign carriers were restricted.
The GCAA said the decision followed a “comprehensive assessment of security and operational risks” in coordination with national and international authorities. It emphasized that safety and sovereignty remain top priorities but did not specify when the closure would begin or how long it would last.
“The Authority stressed that the safety of passengers and flight crews remains its top priority, reaffirming its commitment to implementing all necessary measures to ensure the highest standards of safety.”
Despite the directive, operations continued during a peak arrival window. Emirates said it was running a “reduced flight schedule,” including transit stops for connecting passengers.
Security concerns have intensified in recent weeks. UAE forces intercepted multiple Iranian drones on Monday night. Dubai International Airport has been targeted several times, including incidents on March 1, March 7, and March 16, which caused injuries and damage.
Aviation leaders, including Sara Nelson, urged governments not to put passengers and crew at risk.
Authorities advised the public to rely only on official updates, but no immediate clarification was provided as flights continued.
Damage to the airport’s fuel storage has also forced some long-haul flights to refuel at Dubai World Central Airport before continuing.
A full airspace shutdown could severely impact the economy. Aviation contributes 27% to Dubai’s GDP, equal to $37.3 billion annually. Every hour of grounded flights could cost the economy $4.25 million.
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