Travellers with holiday or transit plans coming up may be wondering if it’s safe to travel to Dubai right now. Following the start of the US-Israel-Iran war on Saturday, 28 February, the UAE – including Dubai – was targeted by missile and drone fire from Iran, the vast majority of which were successfully intercepted. However, following the announcement of a temporary ceasefire on Tuesday, 7 April, there has been a continued pause in strikes and missile threats. And, following US President Donald Trump’s announcement on Tuesday, 21 April, that the ceasefire has been extended, life in Dubai is continuing to return to normal.
On Saturday, 2 May, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority announced the resumption of full air traffic, lifting all restrictions placed on the country’s airspace – a further boost for the UAE.
Before the ceasefire was announced, UAE air defences intercepted 2,256 drones, 537 ballistic missiles, and 26 cruise missiles across the country. At least 13 people have been killed – 10 civilians, two military personnel and a civilian contractor. A further 224 people have been injured. At the time of writing, there have been no attacks or injuries in the UAE since the start of the ceasefire.
If you have upcoming travel booked or are transiting through the city, here is everything you need to know about travelling to Dubai right now.
This article was updated with the latest information on Thursday, 9 April 2026
Are Dubai flights operating normally?
The UAE announced of Saturday, 2 May that air traffic in the country could fully resume to pre-war levels. Previously, Dubai’s airports had been operating with limited flight schedules, with aircraft flying through designated safe corridors. As it currently stands, local airlines, including Emirates and flydubai, are operating the majority of inbound and outbound flights from the city’s two key airports, Dubai International Airport (DXB) and Al Maktoum International (DWC), while a handful of international airlines, including Qatar Airways and Air India, are flying ad-hoc services to and from the city. The latest figures from live air traffic monitor Flightradar24 show Emirates is currently operating at up to 80 per cent of its pre-war capacity.
Several major international airlines have suspended routes to the city for weeks and months to come, including British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Airlines and KLM.
Keep up to date with the latest on Middle East flight disruption here
Are Dubai hotels and restaurants open?
Yes. Dubai’s hotels, restaurants, shopping malls and beaches remain open as usual, adhering to advice from the Dubai government that the city “remains safe and fully operational”. In fact, several of the city’s top spots are currently running deals and offers for residents and visitors alike. Several hotels across the city are offering staycation deals, with money off room rates, redeemable food and drinks packages, and complimentary spa treatments. Many restaurants, meanwhile, are operating initiatives to support the city’s food scene and community, from set menus and chef collabs to special pricing and updated operating hours.