Dubai Airport Stays Open Amid Attacks

0:00On March 19, Dubai International Airport, the world's busiest hub, has stayed open despite repeated Iranian drone and missile strikes on the United, Arab Emirates. Just days ago, a drone hit a fuel tank less than a mile from the terminal, sparking a huge fire and forcing a six-hour closure. Plains were diverted mid-flight, but operations resumed quickly, with take-offs happening amid the chaos. Earlier this week on March 7, another strike sent smoke billowing near the runways, yet flights kept going. UAE air defenses have intercepted most threats, but some got through, hitting sites around the city. Officials downplay the incidents, insisting everything remains normal. Passengers face long waits and scorching heat outside the terminal, with families, expats, and tourists desperate to leave. Some celebrities and wealthy folks chartered private jets costing up to 150,000 pounds, or drove hours to Oman for safer flights. Meanwhile, influencers pushed government messages that Dubai is safe, even as attacks continued.

1:04Authorities arrested over 100 people, including foreigners, for sharing videos of strikes or interceptions online, with penalties up to a year. In jail, migrant workers from places like Pakistan and India are hit hardest, facing forced leave, pay cuts, or deportation, as tourism dries up and beaches, stay empty. The war exposes Dubai's vulnerabilities, from oil routes to its expat economy, leaving residents hoping for a quick recovery amid the uncertainty.