1 hour ago
Last Updated:March 16, 2026, 12:08 IST
Two Emirates flights from Kerala to Dubai returned after Dubai Airport suspended operations due to a drone-related fire. Flights from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi landed safely.
File photo of an Emirates airline plane. (Image: Reuters)
Two Emirates flights from Kerala to Dubai were forced to return on Monday after flight operations were temporarily suspended at Dubai Airport following a security incident. Flights from Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi turned back mid-air and landed safely at their respective departure airports.
An Emirates flight from Thiruvananthapuram Airport bound for Dubai Airport departed at 4.40 am with 353 passengers and 19 crew members on board. However, the aircraft was instructed to return after the destination airport halted operations. The flight landed back in Thiruvananthapuram at around 8.40 am, and passengers were later shifted to the terminal, PTI reported.
A similar situation unfolded in Kochi, where another Emirates flight, EK533, that took off from Cochin Airport at 4.30 am with 325 people on board, was also asked to turn back due to the closure of Dubai airport. The aircraft returned and landed safely in Kochi at about 8.30 am.
“Passengers are advised to remain on board while the situation at DXB (Dubai) is reviewed. If the airport resumes operations, the return service will continue," a CIAL spokesman said.
Drone Strike Triggers Fire Near Dubai Airport, Flight Ops Hit
Flights were suspended at Dubai’s airport after a drone-related incident triggered a fire near the facility, officials said. The blaze reportedly involved a fuel tank but was quickly brought under control, and no injuries were reported.
The Dubai Civil Aviation Authority said the temporary suspension of operations was a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of passengers and airport staff.
The disruption comes amid escalating regional tensions. Authorities in United Arab Emirates said their air defence systems were intercepting drones and missiles launched from Iran as part of the ongoing conflict in the region.
In a related development, Saudi Arabia reported that its air defence forces had intercepted more than 60 drones in the eastern part of the country since midnight, highlighting the growing security concerns across the Gulf.
Location :
Kerala, India, India
First Published:
March 16, 2026, 12:08 IST
News world Two Dubai-Bound Emirates Flights Return To Kerala As West Asia Conflict Escalates
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users’ views, not News18’s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Read More
