Dubai International Airport has started to gradually resume operations after flights were temporarily suspended.
Authorities in the United Arab Emirates said the hub had been closed for precautionary reasons following a "drone-related incident" that sparked a fuel tank fire near the airport.
Emirates, which operates flights between Dublin Airport and Dubai Airport said it has "resumed reduced flight operations" after the temporary suspension.
The airline said some flights from today's schedule have been cancelled and affected customers will receive a cancellation notice and advice on re-accommodation options.
One Emirates service from Dubai to Dublin this morning was cancelled, while the departure of a second flight later from the UAE to Ireland is delayed.
Two Emirates flights from Dublin to Dubai today are listed as being on schedule.
Emirates has resumed reduced flight operations after a temporary suspension earlier this morning (16 March, 2026).
— Emirates Support (@EmiratesSupport) March 16, 2026
Some flights from today's schedule have been cancelled. Affected customers will receive a cancellation notice and will be advised on reaccommodation options.… pic.twitter.com/4M6A7xRE8D
The temporary suspension of operations at the Middle East hub resulted in an Emirates service from Ireland to the UAE being turned around last night.
The flight, which departed at around 9pm carrying 172 passengers, was flying over Egypt when it was forced to re-route back to Dublin due to the closure of the airspace in Dubai.
The Dublin Airport operator, daa, is advising passengers to check with their airline for the latest updates regarding their flights.
The daa had announced yesterday that Emirates had increased its number of daily flights between Dublin and Dubai to two trips each way per day.
It also said Etihad Airways had recommenced one inbound and one outbound service per day between Dublin and Abu Dhabi.
Fights between Dublin and Doha on Qatar Airways remain suspended, due to the closure of Qatari airspace, but services are due to resume later this week.
Qatar Airways has said it will operate a revised limited number of flights from 18 March to 28 March.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade said the Government has been informed by Qatar Airways that "it will resume flights from Doha to Dublin on Friday, 20 March".
In a post on X, Helen McEntee said there will be four direct flights weekly from that date.
Pleased to announce that we have been informed by Qatar Airlines that it will resume flights from Doha to Dublin on Friday, 20 March 2026. There will be four direct flights weekly from that date.
— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) March 16, 2026
