Abu Dhabi’s Zayed International Airport (AUH) became the latest UAE aviation hub struck by the escalating regional conflict Saturday night, as authorities confirmed one fatality and seven injuries following the interception of a drone that targeted the airport.
“The authorities in Abu Dhabi are dealing with an incident resulting from the interception of a drone that targeted Zayed International Airport, where the interception operation led to the fall of shrapnel, resulting in one death of Asian nationality and 7 injuries,” Abu Dhabi Airports said in an official statement.
The incident marks a deadly escalation in a day of relentless Iranian drone and missile strikes across the UAE, launched in retaliation for a joint U.S.-Israeli military operation targeting Iran’s leadership overnight. The UAE Ministry of Defense said its air defences intercepted and destroyed 132 missiles and 195 Iranian drones launched toward the country throughout the day, describing the attacks as “a blatant violation of national sovereignty and international law.”
The Abu Dhabi incident follows a cascade of damage across the Emirates earlier in the day. A concourse at Dubai International Airport (DXB) sustained minor damage after being struck. Four airport staff were injured; though, contingency plans had already cleared most terminals of passengers. Separately, an Iranian Shahed drone caused a large explosion and fire at the Fairmont The Palm hotel on Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, sending thick plumes of smoke above the waterfront district and injuring four people in the parking area. Accor, the hotel’s parent company, confirmed no hotel guests or team members were among the casualties. The Burj Khalifa was also evacuated as a precautionary measure.
All flight operations at Dubai International (DXB), Dubai World Central – Al Maktoum International (DWC), and Zayed International Airport (AUH) remain suspended. Sharjah Airport has issued similar disruption advisories. Emirates, Etihad, flydubai, Qatar Airways, Lufthansa, Virgin Atlantic, Air India, and dozens of other carriers have suspended or rerouted services, with preliminary aviation data suggesting roughly 24 percent of all Middle East flights have been grounded.
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