Iran's retaliatory strikes against U.S. and Israeli airstrikes have engulfed the entire Middle East in military tension. One person was killed in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, after being struck by debris from an intercepted missile. Drone fragments also hit the exterior of Burj Al Arab, Dubai's landmark ultra-luxury hotel, causing a fire. The disruption forced Korean Air flights to and from Dubai to either turn back or be canceled.
Dubai's Government Media Office announced via X on Saturday (local time) that "one drone was intercepted, and its debris struck the exterior of Burj Al Arab, causing a small fire." The office added that "fire authorities responded swiftly to extinguish the blaze, and there were no casualties." The 321-meter, 56-story Burj Al Arab is Dubai's most iconic luxury hotel. Explosions from missile fragments or misfires also occurred at luxury hotels on Palm Jumeirah, while civilian evacuation orders were issued for major tourist sites including Burj Khalifa. Dubai International Airport's terminal also sustained damage, injuring four employees. The airport has been fully closed since Feb. 28 for safety reasons, halting operations of all UAE carriers including Emirates.
Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) announced on Feb. 28 that it had launched multiple missiles and drones targeting Haifa and Tel Aviv in Israel. The IRGC claimed it simultaneously fired drones and missiles at 14 U.S. military bases across the Middle East, including Al Udeid in Qatar, Al Salem in Kuwait, Al Dhafra in the UAE, the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet headquarters in Bahrain, and Muwaffaq Salti in Jordan. With the UAE—previously considered the safest country in the Middle East—now within striking range, the entire region including the Gulf has effectively been placed on a war footing. Targeted nations reported intercepting most of Iran's missiles and drones with their air defense systems.
Korean Air was directly affected. Flight KE951 (B787-9), which departed Incheon International Airport at 1:13 p.m. on Feb. 28 bound for Dubai, turned back while over Myanmar airspace. Korean Air explained that "the flight was diverted after receiving information about UAE airspace closure." Flight KE952, scheduled to depart Dubai at 9 p.m. the same day, was also canceled. Korean Air said disruptions to Dubai routes may continue after March 1 and that it will provide flight information updates on its website. Routes to Europe and other destinations remain unaffected. Korean Air has been the only Korean carrier operating the Incheon-Dubai route, with seven round trips per week. The Incheon-Tel Aviv route has been suspended since the Hamas-Israel armed conflict began in October 2023.