Operations at Dubai International Airport were temporarily suspended for safety as the United Arab Emirates responded to incoming missile and drone threats from Iran, authorities said.
The UAE’s Ministry of Defence said its air defence systems were actively intercepting ballistic missiles and drones, adding that loud sounds heard across parts of the country were due to interception operations.
The Dubai Media Office said there had been a “minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception”, but denied social media reports claiming an incident at Dubai International Airport.
Flight tracking website Flightradar24 showed several aircraft bound for Dubai placed in holding patterns above the airport during the disruption.
Meanwhile, Emirates airline announced that all flights to and from Dubai have been suspended until further notice.
The development comes a day after an Emirates spokesperson told Reuters the airline expected to return to 100 percent of its network in the coming days. (Newswire)