LAST UPDATE | 11 Mar

A FLIGHT CHARTERED by the Irish government from the United Arab Emirates city of Abu Dhabi has arrived at Dublin Airport, Defence Minister Helen McEntee has said. 

The flight was the second chartered by the government from the region since the US and Israel launched their war against Iran and carried Irish citizens as well as some from other EU member states. 

“Welcome home to all passengers on our second Government charter flight from the Gulf region which has landed safely at Dublin Airport,” McEntee said in a statement this evening.

“Our work to support Irish citizens in the Gulf continues. Any citizen who needs assistance can contact the Consular Crisis Team on +3531408200.”

Earlier today, the Minister announced that the flight had left Abu Dhabi shortly after four people were injured by falling drones at Dubai International Airport earlier today. 

The UAE, a US ally, is one of a number of states in the Persian Gulf to be targeted by Iran since the war began. 

Iran has said it is targeting US military bases and economic interests, but a UAE official today condemned the Islamic Republic for targeting civilian infrastructure. 

I’m pleased to confirm that the second Government charter flight from Abu Dhabi, assisting Irish citizens in the Gulf region, has departed and will arrive in Dublin this afternoon. Thank you to the UAE authorities for assisting in facilitating this. @dfatirl

— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) March 11, 2026

“Two drones fell in the vicinity of Dubai International Airport a short while ago, resulting in minor injuries to two Ghanaian nationals and one Bangladeshi national, and moderate injuries to one Indian national,” the Dubai Media Office said.

“Air traffic is operating as normal,” it added.

Related Reads

Israeli tanks and soldiers have entered Lebanese territory near Irish peacekeeping outpost

Fuel going up: Yet another sign that remote working matters in a volatile world

UAE presidential advisor Anwar Gargash said Iran “is lying when they claim to be targeting US bases in the Gulf”, slamming in a post on X the attacks on “civilian infrastructure… with no regard for civilians and innocent people”.

An Indian worker at a cargo terminal opposite Terminal 2 of Dubai’s airport said he saw a drone flying at low altitude, slowly gliding down before crashing into a building at the airport terminal.

“It was flying so low and I saw it clearly. But there was no loud blast when it hit,” he said, requesting anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

“About 10 minutes later, I saw another drone gliding past in a similar manner… When it crashed, the explosion was loud. Particularly loud,” he added.