Drone strikes near Dubai airport deepen Gulf aviation chaos

• Summary

• Companies

• Drone incidents near Dubai worsen pressure on Gulf aviation

• Middle East airspace closures drive up cancellations, costs

• Oil corridor impact spikes jet fuel, worsens industry turmoil

• Vietnam warns of possible ​fuel shortages from next month

DUBAI, March 11 (Reuters) - Two drones ‌fell near Dubai’s main airport and Bahrain evacuated some planes on Wednesday, as attacks on infrastructure across the Gulf continued to disrupt air traffic, hampering efforts to restore flights as the war on Iran entered a 12th day.

The U.S.-Israel war against Iran ​has led to tens of thousands of flight cancellations, reroutings and schedule changes worldwide, shutting much of ​the Middle East’s airspace – including Qatar’s – due to missile and drone threats.

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That has ⁠plunged aviation into its worst crisis since the pandemic, as Dubai International Airport (DXB), the busiest hub for global passengers, ​and other regional airports are critical transit points for long-haul travel.

The conflict has also disrupted a key oil ​export corridor, leading to a spike in jet fuel prices, pushing fares higher on some routes and deepening concern about a broader hit to travel demand. Time-sensitive air cargo was also heavily affected.

Highlighting the ripple effects of the conflict beyond the Middle East, the ​government in Vietnam warned on Wednesday that domestic airlines may be at risk of fuel shortages as soon ​as next month.

Flights in the UAE

TWO DRONES FALL NEAR DUBAI AIRPORT

Item 1 of 3 Emirates’ planes sit on the tarmac of Dubai International Airport (DXB) after two drones came down in the vicinity of the airport, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Stringer

**[1/3]**Emirates’ planes sit on the tarmac of Dubai International Airport (DXB) after two drones came down in the vicinity of the airport, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, March 11, 2026. Picture taken with a mobile phone. REUTERS/Stringer Purchase Licensing Rights, opens new tab

Bahrain’s Civil Aviation Affairs said on Wednesday that several Gulf Air aircraft without ‌passengers, and ⁠some cargo airplanes, were relocated to alternative airports to “ensure the continuity and efficiency of air operations” during the crisis.

It did not provide further details. Gulf Air was not immediately available for comment.

Tracking data on FlightRadar24 showed several passenger jets moving to locations in Saudi Arabia over the past 24 hours.

Dubai’s media office confirmed two ​drones fell near Dubai airport, ​but said air traffic ⁠was operating as normal. Reuters witnesses said there was no visible damage to the airport. Four people were injured.

The attack marked a renewed threat after DXB ​airport sustained damage on the first day of the conflict, alongside Abu Dhabi and ​Kuwait’s international ⁠airports.

Regional carriers like Dubai’s Emirates and Abu Dhabi’s Etihad, as well as Qatar Airways, have resumed some flights but were still operating well below capacity.

Daily flights by the main United Arab Emirates airlines topped 600 over the weekend, ⁠but ​the rising number of flights flattened before dipping slightly on Tuesday, ​Flightradar24 data shows.

Airline stocks and the impact from the widening Iran conflict

Reporting by Federico Maccioni, Maha El Dahan, Tala Ramadan and Nayera Abdallah in Dubai, Tim ​Hepher in Paris and Adam Jourdan in London; Writing by Josephine Mason; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Aidan Lewis

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Maha El Dahan

Thomson Reuters

Maha has been working as a Reuters journalist for over 15 years covering stories across the Middle East from Egypt, the Gulf, Yemen, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan. She is currently Gulf Bureau Chief based in Dubai and continues to cover energy and OPEC policy. In her previous roles, Maha has overseen Lebanon, Syria and Jordan coverage as Bureau Chief based in Beirut and managed the energy and commodities file across the Middle East. Maha began her career with Reuters in Cairo.

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