Hundreds of Thousands Stranded in Dubai as Iran Targets UAE

Airstrikes force closure of major airports, disrupting travel across the Middle East

Published on Mar. 2, 2026

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Hundreds of thousands of tourists and business travelers are stranded in Dubai and other UAE cities after Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones in retaliation for Israeli-US attacks. The airstrikes forced the closure of airports in Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Doha, Qatar, leaving travelers scrambling to book flights home. At least 11,000 flights have been canceled since Saturday, affecting over 1 million travelers.

Why it matters

The UAE, and Dubai in particular, have long been seen as a safe haven for international travelers in the volatile Middle East region. This attack on the UAE's infrastructure and the resulting travel chaos have shaken that reputation, raising concerns about the region's stability and safety for global tourism and business.

The details

The attacks targeted major hotels and the Dubai International Airport, one of the world's busiest hubs. In Abu Dhabi, one person died and seven were injured by debris from a drone strike on Zayed International Airport. The UAE government has said 174 ballistic missiles were launched toward the country since Saturday, along with 689 Iranian drones, of which 645 were intercepted.

  • The attacks began on Saturday, March 2, 2026.
  • On Monday, March 4, 2026, a limited number of flights were scheduled to depart Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports.

The players

Dubai International Airport

One of the world's busiest airports for international travel, handling over 95 million passengers in 2025.

Zayed International Airport

An airport in Abu Dhabi that was targeted by a drone strike, resulting in one death and seven injuries.

Emirates

The largest airline in the Middle East, which said it would prioritize stranded customers with canceled bookings.

Etihad Airways

A UAE-based airline that rebooked a stranded passenger, Rebecca Clothey, on a flight to Bengaluru.

Sicuro Group

A global risk management firm that has assisted around 1,000 people, including employees of major companies and individual travelers, in leaving Dubai by land to neighboring countries.

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What they’re saying

“There is no certainty right now about when the fighting will end and when it will be deemed safe for commercial flights to resume.”

— Henry Harteveldt, Aviation industry analyst for Atmosphere Research

“Dubai has long been recognized for its infrastructure resilience, governance and crisis response capabilities.”

— Ali Asgar Hussain, Managing director of Turning Point Tourism

“Things remain calm, and people are getting on with their daily lives as best they can.”

— Ahmed Soliman, Managing director of Travel Connections Arabia

What’s next

The UAE government has said it will cover accommodation costs for stranded visitors, and a limited number of flights were scheduled to depart Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports on Monday. However, there is no information yet on whether flights will operate on Tuesday, and the government has urged passengers not to travel to the airport unless their flight is confirmed.

The takeaway

This incident has shaken the UAE's reputation as a safe travel destination in the Middle East, raising concerns about the region's stability and the impact on global tourism and business. The ability of the UAE government to respond effectively to the crisis and restore confidence in the country's airports and infrastructure will be crucial in the coming days and weeks.