Dubai suspends foreign airlines’ flights till further notice

NEW DELHI: Dubai Monday evening “suspended until further notice” all flights operated by foreign airlines. The decision came after a fire in a fuel tank near Dubai International Airport, on a day which had seen multiple attacks that kept disrupting flights.

Titled “suspension of landing permission at the DXB/DWC airport(s) in the Emirate of Dubai,” a mail sent to its foreign operators, including Indian operators, said: “We write with reference to the prevailing situation within the region and in the interest of the safety of airlines, crew, passengers, employees and the public…. landing permission for aircraft operating into DXB/DWC airport(s) in the Emirate of Dubai is suspended until further notice. The concerned authorities in the Emirate of Dubai will update you with regard to the removal of suspension of landing permission.”

IndiGo said on X Monday night: "As per the latest update issued by Dubai Airport authorities, landing permissions for aircraft operating into DXB have been suspended until further notice in view of the prevailing situation in the region."

Monday was particularly bad for Dubai. In the morning, Flights at Dubai International Airport (DXB) were put on hold after a drone attack on a fuel tank near the airport. “Flights are holding, diverting to DWC (Dubai’s secondary airport) if already near DXB, or diverting to alternate airfields,” flight tracking site Flightradar24 said Monday morning.

At that time, many flights headed to Dubai returned to their origins. These included Emirates’ flights from Hyderabad and Thiruvananthapuram. After this, airlines including Indian carriers cancelled their flights to Dubai on Monday.

Dubai is the biggest destination for Indian carriers and Indian globetrotters. With this indefinite suspension, when they are able to resume flights to Dubai remains to be seen.