The smoke plume rising from the airport after the drone attack. (Image: Getty)
A drone strike on Dubai International Airport is impacting thousands of UK flights.
The airport suspended flights after an Iranian drone hit a nearby fuel tank in the early hours of Monday morning. The attack, which took place in the early hours of Monday morning, sent fire and smoke pouring into the sky. No injuries have been reported.
Several Emirates flights were either diverted or cancelled, including those from UK airports. Many flights were forced to return to the UK after a U-turn. Passengers on a flight from London Stansted nearly reached Dubai but were diverted to Vienna, Austria. A flight from London Stansted was diverted to Vienna, while seven Emirates flights scheduled from Dubai to London Heathrow were also cancelled.
A spokesperson for Emirates said: « Some flights from today’s schedule have been cancelled. Affected customers will receive a cancellation notice and will be advised on reaccommodation options. Customers are advised to check the status of their flight before heading to the airport.
Read more: Dubai Airport drone attack forces Emirates flight to U-turn and return to UK
Read more: Major airport forced to halt all flights after drone attack sparks huge fire
Emirates flights have been affected too. (Image: Getty)
« Customers transiting in Dubai will only be accepted for travel if their connecting flight is operating. Please do not go to the airport unless you hold a confirmed booking. Emirates continues to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly. »
A flight from Edinburgh to Dubai was turned back after reaching Egyptian airspace following the drone strike affecting Dubai International Airport. The suspension of flights also affected thousands of people who were hoping to finally return to the UK after being stranded in the Middle East – or other parts of the world where UK flights connect in the region – since the start of the US-Israeli campaign against Iran.
Etihad Airways said they have resumed a limited commercial flight schedule, operating to a number of key destinations. Flights are scheduled to operate to and from Abu Dhabi, with the current schedule announced until March 12.
The airline also added they will gradually resume its operations, with an initial focus on passengers whose journeys have been affected by the conflicts in the Middle East.
Dubai Media Office said earlier this morning: « Dubai Civil Aviation Authority announces the gradual resumption of some flights to and from Dubai International Airport to selected destinations, following the temporary suspension implemented as a precautionary measure. Passengers are advised to check with their airlines for the latest updates regarding their flights. »
Dubai International Airport said earlier that flights were “gradually resuming to selected destinations”. Passengers, however, are still being urged not to travel and to check with their airline before travelling to the airport.
In one of their updates they said: « We advise travelers not to head to Dubai International Airport unless they are directly contacted by their airline with confirmation of their departure time, as schedules remain subject to change. Travelers should continue to stay in touch with their airlines to stay informed of the latest updates regarding their flights. »
Another photo showing the fire at Dubai International Airport. (Image: Getty)
Sir Keir Starmer has said the Government is working “around the clock” to repatriate Britons stranded in the Middle East. More than 170,000 British nationals have registered their presence in the region since the start of the Iran war.
The Prime Minister told reporters at a press conference on Monday morning: “We continue to work around the clock to help our people in the Middle East. As of this morning, over 92,000 British nationals have returned to the UK on commercial and government-chartered flights. Now that work continues, including to support British citizens in Lebanon.”
He also added: “Our armed forces are working 24/7 to protect British lives and British interests, and support our Gulf partners.
“We have thousands of service men and women in Cyprus and across the region, three squadrons of fighter jets working alongside counter drone teams to intercept Iranian attacks. They are protecting our people, our bases and our allies, night and day, and I pay tribute to all of them.”
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