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An explosion was heard over Dubai airport on Saturday followed by a cloud of smoke in the air, a witness told Agence France-Presse (AFP), as tensions across the Gulf continued to rise.
The Dubai Media Office later described the event as “a minor incident resulting from the fall of debris after an interception,” dismissing unspecified reports circulating on social media about the airport in a post on X.
AFP journalists also reported hearing explosions in Dubai and in Bahrain’s capital Manama on Saturday, one week into Iran’s retaliatory attacks across the Gulf.
Two blasts were heard in Dubai and one in Manama, where warning sirens sounded.
“Citizens and residents are urged to remain calm and head to the nearest safe place,” Bahrain’s Interior Ministry said in a message posted on X.
Four staff were injured and a concourse damaged at Dubai airport last Saturday. Dubai Airports said at the time that the incident was "quickly contained", without giving further details.
Iranian attacks have also hit Abu Dhabi airport, the upmarket Palm Jumeirah development and the Burj Al Arab luxury hotel, while drone debris caused a fire at the US consulate in Dubai on Tuesday.
The incident comes as airlines continue operating limited flights from the United Arab Emirates due to disruptions linked to the escalating conflict.
Etihad Airways and Emirates confirmed they will continue running a limited number of services from Abu Dhabi and Dubai to the United Kingdom in the coming days.
Emirates said it is working to restore full network operations following the partial reopening of regional airspace.
Airlines have warned travelers not to go to the airport unless they have been contacted directly by Etihad or hold confirmed bookings on newly scheduled flights.
Emirates has also announced new commercial flights departing from Dubai that are now open for booking, although passengers with earlier reservations will be prioritized.
Flights to Manchester, Birmingham, London Heathrow, London Gatwick and Edinburgh are scheduled for Saturday.
Passengers transiting through Dubai will only be accepted on these flights if their connecting flights are operating as planned.
Emirates said it carried about 30,000 passengers out of Dubai on Thursday and has operated 35 flights to the United Kingdom since resuming services.
By Saturday, the airline expects to operate 106 return daily flights to 83 destinations. For the United Kingdom, Emirates plans to operate 11 daily flights across five airports.
Saudi Arabia’s national carrier Saudia said Friday it will partially resume flights to and from Dubai starting March 7, restoring limited air services between the two countries after recent disruptions.
In a statement posted on X, the airline said the initial schedule will include two outbound flights to Dubai and two return services.
Saudia said operations will initially remain limited, with additional services expected to resume gradually depending on developments in the region.
Passengers can book flights through the airline’s official website and mobile application.
Separately, Kuwait Airways said it has begun operating flights from several international cities to Saudi Arabia, allowing Kuwaiti nationals to travel onward to Kuwait by land.
The airline said flights will depart from Barcelona, Paris, Milan, Munich and Bangkok, with passengers required to obtain a Saudi transit visa.
Air travel across parts of the Middle East has faced significant disruptions in recent days following U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran and retaliatory strikes by Tehran.
The escalation began after the United States and Israel launched a large-scale attack on Iran on Feb. 28.
The strikes have reportedly killed more than 1,000 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, more than 150 schoolgirls and several senior military officials.
Iran has responded with drone and missile strikes targeting Israel as well as U.S. bases, diplomatic facilities and military personnel across the region.
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