One killed and 11 injured at Abu Dhabi and Dubai airports after intercepted strikes

One person has been killed and 11 others injured at airports in Abu Dhabi and Dubai after falling debris from intercepted drones and missiles struck the United Arab Emirates, officials said. Abu Dhabi Airports said the interception at Zayed International Airport led to "one fatality involving an Asian national and 7 injuries," and urged the public not to circulate rumours.

Abu Dhabi's authorities said the incident followed the interception of a drone targeting Zayed International Airport (AUH), with debris causing damage on the airfield and surrounding areas. In Dubai, the city's media office said a concourse at Dubai International Airport (DXB) sustained "minor damage" and four airport staff were treated for injuries. The two airport tallies reconcile to 1 dead and 11 injured across the UAE, officials and operational notices showed.

The strikes are part of a wider wave of attacks across the region. Regional reporting and security sources linked the barrage to launches from Iran, which analysts say were presented by Tehran as retaliatory steps in an escalating cycle of strikes in the Middle East. Falling debris from intercepted projectiles has been blamed for much of the damage to airports, hotels and port facilities.

Aviation services were severely disrupted. Flight-tracking data showed dozens of flights diverted or turned back overnight, including a British Airways service from London to Doha that was forced to change course early Saturday. Airports and airlines across the globe adjusted schedules: Etihad suspended Abu Dhabi departures until March 1, and London Heathrow listed a "small number of flights" cancelled or delayed including services operated by Emirates, Qatar Airways and Etihad. Gatwick and Manchester also warned passengers of expected disruption and urged travellers to check with their airlines.

Beyond the airports, infrastructure and high-profile tourist sites in Dubai reported damage. Video circulating online showed flames and thick black smoke billowing from the Fairmont The Palm hotel on Palm Jumeirah after a large explosion was captured on film. Debris from interceptions also sparked a fire at a berth in Jebel Ali port, one of the world’s busiest container hubs, and caused a small blaze on the outer facade of the Burj Al Arab hotel. Bahrain’s interior ministry said its airport had been damaged after being targeted by a drone, and there were unconfirmed reports of further attacks into Sunday morning.

Airports in the UAE have issued public safety guidance and operational notices. Abu Dhabi Airports posted on social media that "any developments will be announced as soon as they are received," and urged people to rely on official channels and airlines for travel information. Several carriers and airport authorities advised passengers to delay travel until the situation stabilises.

The incidents mark one of the most serious disruptions to Gulf aviation since the Covid-19 pandemic, grounding thousands of flights across the region and sending ripples through international schedules. Authorities said investigations and damage assessments are ongoing, and warned the security and travel picture remains fluid as officials evaluate the scale of the intercepts and the resulting debris damage.