Iranian drone attack rocks Dubai airport: 4 injured including Indian amidst widespread flight disruptions

Dubai (The Uttam Hindu): The ongoing tensions in the Middle East have now directly targeted international air travel. On Wednesday morning, an Iranian drone attack on Dubai International Airport (DXB), one of the world's busiest airports, caused a stir. Four people, including an Indian national, were injured in the attack. Following the incident, security agencies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) are on high alert and a thorough investigation is underway.

Drone attack rocks airport, injures Indian citizen

Dubai authorities have confirmed that two drones fell near the airport's operational area on Wednesday morning. Two Ghanaians, a Bangladeshi, and an Indian national were injured in the attacks. Fortunately, the injured are reported to be out of danger. Although the airport was in a state of panic immediately following the attack, authorities have claimed that efforts are currently underway to ensure normal air traffic due to heightened security.

Strict advisory for passengers and heavy flight delays

Dubai Airports, the agency that operates Dubai International and Al Maktoum International airports, has issued special instructions for passengers. Flights partially resumed on March 7th, but schedules remain unstable. The administration has clearly advised passengers not to arrive at the airport until their airline confirms their flight times. Currently, flight delays are averaging 60 to 90 minutes.

Second attack in a week, emergency plan saves lives

Surprisingly, on March 1st, a drone attack targeted a section of Dubai Airport, injuring four employees. At that time, the airport's pre-prepared emergency response plan allowed passengers to be safely evacuated from most terminals, averting a major disaster. These repeated attacks have raised serious concerns about the safety of international travelers.

The biggest crisis in the aviation sector after the Corona period

The Iranian attacks have created an unprecedented airspace crisis in the Middle East. Since February 28, more than 40,000 flights have been cancelled at seven major airports in the region. Around 51,600 flights from major hubs like Dubai, Doha, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, Kuwait and Bahrain have been affected. According to statistics, around 20,200 passengers are stranded at a time due to flight cancellations in the UAE alone. Experts believe that this has proved to be the biggest disruption for the aviation sector since the Corona epidemic.