Authorities suspended operations at Dubai International Airport for nearly an hour on January 23 when recreational users flew drones in the terminal airspace, the official Emirates News Agency (WAM) reported. Flights were diverted to Al Maktoum International, Dubai’s second airport, during the suspension.

Air traffic “came to a standstill” between 3 p.m. and 3:55 p.m., “as a result of malpractices of some members of the public who flew unmanned aerial vehicles in the air navigation passages of planes,” WAM said. The news agency did not specify the number or types of drones that were flown.

Mohammed Abdulla Ahli, director general of the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority and CEO of Dubai Air Navigation Services “warned that these undeliberate, irresponsible acts could lead to serious consequences as these UAVs pose a threat to the safety of air navigation and to passengers,” the news agency said. “These UAVs are strictly prohibited in Dubai air space for any purpose without a prior permit from the Dubai Civil Aviation Authority,” Ahli stated.

Dubai International ranks as one of the world’s top busiest airports for international passengers. It served nearly 64 million passengers during the first 11 months of 2014, according to Dubai Airports. Passenger numbers are projected to reach 78.4 million this year.

On January 19, Dubai Air Navigation Services became the first air navigation service provider in the Gulf Cooperation Council region to sign a cooperation agreement with Eurocontrol. The two organizations will collaborate on research and development, beginning with wake vortex research and spacing concepts. Dubai’s airports expect to see 665,000 annual aircraft movements by 2020, a Eurocontrol press release noted.