Dubai Airport Hit, Burj Al Arab on Fire & Fairmont Palm Struck: Iran’s Full Missile Blitz on Dubai Explained
On the night of Saturday, 28 February 2026, Dubai — long considered one of the world’s safest cities — found itself under a barrage of Iranian missiles and drones. The world’s busiest international airport was struck and shut. The iconic Fairmont The Palm hotel caught fire. Drone debris ignited a blaze on the Burj Al Arab’s sail-shaped façade. The Burj Khalifa was evacuated. Iran fired 137 missiles and 209 drones at UAE territory in a single day.
Dubai International Airport (DXB), Al Maktoum (DWC), Abu Dhabi Zayed (AUH) and Sharjah Airport all remain closed as of 1 March 2026. Situation ongoing. This article will be updated.
| Dubai Intl Airport (DXB) | ✅ Concourse struck — minor damage, 4 staff injured, 700+ flights cancelled, closed indefinitely |
| Fairmont The Palm | ✅ Direct hit by Iranian Shahed drone debris — large fire, 4 injured, fire controlled within 1 hour |
| Burj Al Arab | ✅ Intercepted drone debris caused fire on outer façade — no injuries, fire extinguished |
| Burj Khalifa | ⚠️ Not directly hit — evacuated as precaution, explosion heard nearby |
| Palm Jumeirah (area) | ✅ Multiple explosions across man-made island — tourists evacuated from poolside areas |
| Abu Dhabi (city) | ✅ 1 civilian killed by falling missile debris — emergency alerts sent to all residents |
| Al Dhafra Airbase | ⚠️ US military base in Abu Dhabi — primary Iranian target, details classified |
| Jebel Ali Seaport | ✅ World’s largest man-made harbour — sustained damage confirmed by AFP |
| UAE Airspace | ✅ Closed — all 4 UAE airports suspended, Emirates & flydubai operations halted |
| Missiles Intercepted | UAE Air Defence destroyed 132 missiles and intercepted 195 drones on 28 Feb 2026 |
What Happened: Dubai’s Worst Nightmare Unfolds
For years, Dubai’s selling point to the world was its unshakable security and safety — a glittering oasis insulated from the conflicts surrounding it. That image was shattered on Saturday evening as Iran launched an unprecedented wave of missiles and drones over the UAE’s most famous skyline. Explosions echoed across the city. Interceptor plumes lit up the sky above the Burj Khalifa and the Palm. Tourists at luxury hotel pools fled indoors.
The attacks were part of Iran’s retaliatory campaign — dubbed “Operation True Promise 4” by the IRGC — targeting US military bases across the Gulf following the joint US-Israeli offensive “Operation Epic Fury” on Iran earlier the same day. The UAE hosts the Al Dhafra US Air Base in Abu Dhabi, making it a strategic target in Tehran’s response. “All US assets throughout the region are considered legitimate targets for Iran’s army,” the IRGC declared.
Timeline: Hour by Hour in Dubai
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Mid-Morning — First AlertsUAE government sends emergency text alerts to all residents: “Remain indoors in safe areas.” Abu Dhabi residents receive a separate warning of “potential missile threats” — residents advised to shelter away from windows and open areas.
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Mid-Morning — Palm JumeirahAn Iranian Shahed suicide drone strikes near the Fairmont The Palm hotel on Palm Jumeirah. A large explosion erupts, followed by thick black smoke visible across the island. Tourists are filmed fleeing poolside areas. Four people are injured. Dubai Civil Defence rushes to the scene.
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Afternoon — Dubai Airport StruckA concourse at Dubai International Airport (DXB) sustains damage in an incident. Four staff members are injured and receive medical attention. Dubai Airports confirms: “Due to contingency plans already in place, most of the terminals were previously cleared of passengers.” Over 700 inbound and outbound flights are cancelled.
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Afternoon — Burj Khalifa EvacuatedThe Burj Khalifa — the world’s tallest building — is evacuated as a precautionary measure. Videos circulate of a loud explosion and black smoke billowing near the structure. Air defence systems are actively engaged over the city.
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Afternoon — Abu Dhabi Death ConfirmedThe UAE Ministry of Defence confirms one civilian killed in Abu Dhabi after being struck by falling missile debris. The UAE condemns the attacks as “a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law.” UAE Air Defence announces 132 missiles and 195 drones intercepted and destroyed.
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Evening — Burj Al Arab StruckDebris from an intercepted Iranian drone strikes the outer façade of the Burj Al Arab — Dubai’s iconic sail-shaped hotel, sometimes called the world’s first seven-star hotel. A fire breaks out on the exterior. Dubai Civil Defence responds immediately. The building is confirmed structurally intact with no injuries reported inside.
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Night — All UAE Airports ClosedDubai International (DXB), Al Maktoum International (DWC), Abu Dhabi Zayed International (AUH) and Sharjah Airport all confirmed closed. Emirates, flydubai, British Airways, Lufthansa, Air France and Virgin Atlantic all suspend UAE operations. A Gulf airline source tells Reuters: “You have crews, planes and passengers stranded all over the world. It’s a massive logistical nightmare.”
Every Landmark That Was Hit
Here is a verified breakdown of every major Dubai and Abu Dhabi landmark and facility affected on 28 February 2026:
“Dubai Airports confirms that a concourse at Dubai International (DXB) sustained minor damage in an incident, which was quickly contained. Four staff sustained injuries and received prompt medical attention.”
— Dubai Media Office · Official X Statement · 28 February 2026Why Is Iran Attacking Dubai?
Dubai and the wider UAE were not targets because of any direct role in Operation Epic Fury — the UAE was not involved in the US-Israeli attack on Iran. However, the UAE hosts the Al Dhafra Air Base in Abu Dhabi, home to thousands of US military personnel and a major hub for American air operations in the Gulf region. Iran’s IRGC designated all US military host nations as legitimate retaliation targets.
Iran launched what it called “Operation True Promise 4” — the fourth iteration of its retaliatory strike programme — targeting US bases in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE simultaneously. The UAE bore some of the heaviest civilian collateral damage due to its high-density tourism and commercial infrastructure sitting close to US military facilities.
“The targeting constitutes a blatant violation of national sovereignty and International Law. The UAE affirms its full right to take all necessary measures to protect its territory, people, and sovereignty.”
— UAE Ministry of Defence · Official Statement · 28 February 2026Dubai Airport Closed: What Travellers Need to Know
Dubai International Airport handles over 90 million passengers a year — more international passengers than any other airport on Earth. Its indefinite closure has triggered an immediate global travel crisis. Emirates, the world’s largest long-haul airline by passengers, has halted all departures and arrivals. flydubai has suspended all operations. The knock-on effect spans dozens of countries and hundreds of connecting routes.
| Airline | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 🇦🇪 Emirates (EK) | SUSPENDED | All routes halted. Passengers advised to check emirates.com for rebooking. |
| 🇦🇪 flydubai (FZ) | SUSPENDED | All operations halted from DXB and DWC. |
| 🇬🇧 British Airways (BA) | SUSPENDED | Dubai and Abu Dhabi routes cancelled. UK Foreign Office issued UAE travel ban. |
| 🇬🇧 Virgin Atlantic | SUSPENDED | Dubai routes cancelled. Passengers advised to rebook. |
| 🇩🇪 Lufthansa | SUSPENDED | All UAE and broader Gulf region routes suspended. |
| 🇫🇷 Air France | SUSPENDED | Middle East routes suspended indefinitely. |
| 🇬🇧 Wizz Air | CANCELLED | UAE-bound flights cancelled and rescheduled. |
Abu Dhabi: Emergency Alerts, One Dead, Al Dhafra Targeted
Abu Dhabi — the UAE capital and home to the country’s main US military installation, Al Dhafra Air Base — faced the most serious threat. All residents received emergency alerts on their phones warning of “potential missile threats” and instructing them to take immediate shelter, stay away from windows, and avoid open areas.
The UAE Ministry of Defence confirmed one civilian was killed in Abu Dhabi after being struck by falling debris from an intercepted Iranian missile — the only confirmed fatality in the UAE from the attack. Schools announced they would likely move to online learning. Employees at US companies in Dubai were told to work from home. Residents of some high-rise buildings were directed to take shelter in basements.
Al Dhafra Air BaseAbu Dhabi hosts one of the US military’s largest and most important regional airbases — the primary Iranian target in the UAE.
Operation True Promise 4Iran’s retaliatory operation simultaneously hit Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia and UAE. All US military host nations were declared “fair game.”
Ramadan contextThe Islamic world is observing Ramadan. Many Dubai cafes and restaurants that would normally be open late were operating — meaning civilian foot traffic was higher than it would be at night otherwise.
Civilian vs. militaryThe UAE’s air defences successfully intercepted the vast majority of incoming missiles and drones — preventing a far greater civilian catastrophe. The hits were caused mainly by debris from interceptions falling on civilian areas.
Is Dubai airport open?No. DXB, DWC, AUH and Sharjah Airport are all closed indefinitely as of 1 March 2026.
UK travel adviceThe Foreign Office advises against all travel to the UAE currently. Britons already in the UAE should shelter in place and register their presence at gov.uk.
What to do if strandedContact your airline directly for rebooking options. Emirates: emirates.com · BA: ba.com · ATOL-protected holidays — contact your tour operator for full refund rights.
Travel insuranceMost comprehensive policies will cover cancellations due to war or conflict. Check your policy’s terrorism/war exclusion clauses carefully.
