Dubai Airport Shuts Down: Air India & Air India Express Cancel All Flights

The “Gateway to the World” has come to a standstill. On Monday, March 16, 2026, Dubai International Airport (DXB) was forced to halt all operations after a drone strike successfully targeted a fuel tank in the airport’s vicinity. The attack, which sent a visible ball of fire into the sky, has triggered an immediate crisis for the thousands of Indian expats and travelers transiting through the UAE.

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Air India and Air India Express were among the first major carriers to react, announcing a total suspension of their Dubai services. The move follows a similar advisory from Emirates, which has warned passengers to stay away from the airport premises entirely as emergency crews work to contain the fire and secure the airspace.

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The Drone Strike: Impact on Fuel Infrastructure

According to the Dubai Media Office, the incident specifically affected one of the fuel storage tanks near the airport perimeter.

• Operational Paralysis: Due to the risk of further strikes and the need for firefighting operations, the airport authority declared a total suspension of flights for the remainder of the day.

• Mid-Air U-Turns: An Air India Express flight from Kochi, which was already several hours into its journey, was forced to return to India as news of the airport closure broke.

Air India’s Cancellation & Refund Policy

Recognizing the “unavoidable operational constraints,” Air India has issued a clear directive for affected passengers:

1. Full Refund: Passengers can cancel their bookings on the website or through travel agents for a 100% refund of the ticket price.

2. Free Rescheduling: Travelers can move their flight to a future date once operations resume, without paying the standard change fees.

3. Assistance: Staff have been deployed at major Indian airports to assist those who were already at the terminal when the news broke.

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Alternative Routes: Abu Dhabi and Sharjah Status

For those desperate to reach the UAE, some “backdoor” options remain—for now.

• Sharjah & Abu Dhabi: Air India Express stated that flights to Abu Dhabi, Ras Al Khaimah, and Sharjah are still operating on an ad-hoc basis.

• Land Transit: Passengers arriving at these alternative airports may still face challenges traveling to Dubai by road due to heightened security checkpoints and potential road closures near the impact site.

Regional Escalation: The Toll on the UAE

The UAE has increasingly become a focal point of the ongoing Iran-US conflict. Reports indicate that the nation has been targeted by a staggering 1,600 drones and 300 missiles over the last three weeks. This latest strike on DXB represents a significant escalation, targeting critical civilian aviation infrastructure for the first time in this war cycle.

Reality Check

The closure of DXB is a major blow to global connectivity. Still, the airport’s sophisticated safety protocols mean that operations could resume within 24–48 hours if the fire is contained and no further threats are detected. Therefore, while today is a total washout, you should not assume your flight for Wednesday or Thursday is cancelled yet. In fact, this incident will likely lead to a permanent hike in airport security surcharges for all Middle Eastern routes.

The Loopholes

Air India says they offer a “full refund.” In fact, this is a “Base Fare Loophole”—while the airline refunds the ticket, many “ancillary fees” (like convenience fees or travel insurance bought through third parties) are often non-refundable. Therefore, you should check your credit card’s “Trip Interruption” policy to recover the full amount. Still, the “Ad-Hoc Loophole” remains; while Sharjah and Abu Dhabi are “open,” these airports are already operating at 120% capacity due to diverted Dubai traffic, meaning your “operational” flight could still face 5–6 hour delays.

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What This Means for You

If you are currently at an airport or have a flight booked today, do not go to the airport. First, realize that the situation is volatile and “live” updates are the only reliable source of info. Then, if you must travel, understand that re-routing via Abu Dhabi is your best bet, but expect taxi fares to Dubai to be inflated by 300%–400% today.

Finally, understand that this is an “Act of God/War” scenario. You should not expect compensation beyond the ticket refund (like hotel stays or meal vouchers), as airlines are generally not liable for closures caused by military strikes. Before you reschedule, wait for the “All Clear” signal from DXB authorities, which is expected by Tuesday morning.

What’s Next

Expect Dubai International Airport to remain closed at least until Tuesday morning. Then, look for a security audit report from the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority. Finally, expect Air India to deploy larger aircraft (like the Boeing 777) once the airport reopens to clear the massive backlog of stranded passengers.

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