Tushar Gagerna (inset) was at the Dubai International Airport when Iran attacked the UAE on February 28, 2026.

As Iranian missiles and drones targeted the UAE over the weekend, one Indian expat found himself in an airport waiting area, unsure if his flight home would ever take off. Instead of panic, he witnessed what he described as calm, organised action. Tushar Gagerna, a Dubai-based growth marketing and product leader in the fintech and e-commerce sector, was scheduled to fly to Delhi at 1pm on Saturday (February 28). His flight had boarded. Then it stopped. “We boarded. We waited. And at 3pm — we were asked to disembark,” Gagerna wrote on LinkedIn. “Iran had attacked the UAE.” He described the mood inside the aircraft as tense but quiet. “In that moment on the plane, there was uncertainty. Hushed conversations. Phones lighting up with news alerts. That strange collective silence when nobody quite knows what to say.”

Organised response at the airport

What happened next, he said, stood out. “Within a short time of disembarking, a dedicated waiting area was set up for all affected passengers. Organized. Calm. Clear communication.” As flights were grounded and airspace disruptions unfolded, airport teams began distributing refreshments. “Free refreshments started coming around. Water. Food. A simple gesture that said: we see you, you’re not stranded, we’ve got this,” he said. Gagerna said one detail left a strong impression on him. “Emergency visas were being issued on the spot for tourists,” he said. “Think about that for a second. In the middle of a geopolitical crisis, with airspace shutting down and flights grounded — the UAE was actively making sure that visitors who had no plan to stay, who had no hotel booked, who were just passing through — were legally covered, safe, and documented.” He added: “Not chaos. Not bureaucracy. Instant humanity.” The airport scene unfolded as the UAE activated its national crisis response framework following a wave of Iranian-launched missiles and drones beginning Saturday morning. According to the Ministry of Defence, UAE air defence systems have intercepted 165 ballistic missiles, two cruise missiles and 541 drones since the start of the attacks. On Sunday (March 1), air defences destroyed 20 ballistic missiles, while eight fell into the sea and two cruise missiles were shot down. Of 311 drones detected that day, 21 struck civilian targets, while the rest were intercepted. Since Saturday, 152 ballistic missiles were destroyed and 13 fell into sea waters. Of the 541 drones identified, 506 were intercepted and 35 landed within the UAE, causing material damage. Authorities confirmed three fatalities linked to falling debris and drone incidents. The victims were expatriates of Pakistani, Nepali and Bangladeshi nationality. Fifty-eight people sustained minor injuries of various nationalities, mainly from shrapnel and falling fragments following interceptions. Drone and missile debris affected multiple areas including parts of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Incidents were reported at Zayed International Airport, Dubai International Airport, Palm Jumeirah and near Burj Al Arab. Officials said contingency plans were activated and emergency teams responded quickly. The National Emergency Crisis and Disaster Management Authority said the UAE is operating under an integrated national crisis response system and continues to coordinate across agencies. Residents have been advised to stay away from debris and follow official safety instructions. The Ministry of Interior said it remains at the highest level of readiness, with public safety as the top priority.

'It’s how a country responds under pressure'

For Gagerna, the experience reinforced why he chooses to live in the UAE. “This is what separates world-class nations from the rest,” he wrote. “It’s not just the skyscrapers. Not just the tax-free salaries. Not just the safety record. It’s how a country responds under pressure.” “When things go sideways — and in geopolitics, they sometimes do — the UAE doesn’t scramble. It executes. Quietly. Efficiently. With humanity,” he said. He ended his post with a simple message: “Waiting for my flight. Safe. Grateful. And genuinely proud to be based here. Stay safe everyone.” As authorities continue to issue regular updates and maintain high-alert defence operations,  emergency services across the country remain operational under enhanced security protocols. For many caught in the sudden disruption, the experience has been unsettling. For some, like Gagerna, it has also been a moment that underscored the UAE’s crisis response. PIA/Expat Media ALSO READ UAE news updates on Iran strikes UAE's emergency response updates
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