- A viral video shows long queues at Dubai International Airport’s arrivals section.
- The situation comes amid ongoing regional tensions and recent airspace disruptions.
- Despite concerns, the airport continues to remain operational with slower process
A video of Dubai International Airport (DXB) with a long queue of passengers waiting for immigration verification has gone viral on social media. This comes despite the city facing intense strikes amid the ongoing Middle East conflict. Dubai has been under attack by Iran for the last three weeks for allegedly providing a military base to the United States. The airport faced a temporary closure due to debris falling owing to the strikes.
A footage of the airport area, shared by an X user on March 18, showed long queues of travellers standing. The post stated, “Dubai Airport today (18 March)… this is the arrivals immigration line, not exit. Plenty of passengers queuing, luggage everywhere, people from all over still pouring in.”
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While rebutting the claim of the Dubai airport being a ‘ghost town', he further wrote, “Compared to the insane crowds of 2024 and early 2025, it's calmer, but calling it a ‘ghost town' is way off. The airport is still very much operational and welcoming."
Dubai Airport today (18 March)... this is the arrivals immigration line, not exit. Plenty of passengers queuing, luggage everywhere, people from all over still pouring in.
— Fahad Naim (@Fahadnaimb) March 18, 2026
Compared to the insane crowds of 2024/early 2025, it's calmer, but calling it a “ghost town” is way off...… pic.twitter.com/kcABWjCe21
Video Draws User Reactions
The video gained prompt attention on social media, with netizens highlighting safety issues amidst the US-Iran war. Many drone and missile attacks have shaken Dubai, causing temporary airspace restrictions in some Gulf regions.
Also Read: US-Iran War News Live Updates: Strikes Hit Largest Natural Gas Field In Qatar; Trump Threatens Iran
A user claims that, “The airport administration is currently focused on operating departure flights to alleviate congestion inside the terminals.”
To which Fahad Naim, the user who shared the video, replied, “Standard protocol after a disruption: clear departures to stabilize flow. Arrivals are still active, just slower processing.”
Another user established the argument that, “Quite strange considering airspace was officially closed yesterday!!”
Another wrote, “All passengers gathered in one terminal due to destruction in other parts of the airport; this may have caused this crowding.”
Dubai Airport is marked as the busiest air traffic hub in the world, which handles tens of millions of passengers, connecting travellers across Asia, the Americas, Europe, and other parts of the globe.
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