All flight operations have been suspended at Dubai International Airport after an Emirates aircraft (EK521) made what appears to have been a controlled crash landing on a runway several hundred metres away from the main terminal area.

 

An explosion was witnessed, although fortunately no passengers were hurt or injured with the authorities now setting about trying to piece together what caused the crash and the subsequent fire.

 

Impressively, HH Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Emirates’ Chairman & Chief Executive Officer made a personal statement almost immediately on social media, informing the public that fortunately all 275 passengers flying from Thiruvananthapuram are safe.

 

‘PASSENGERS ARE FIRST PRIORITY’

He said the first priority is obviously the passengers’ welfare and that of the crew, with the emergency centre fully activated if needed.

 

He also added that all thoughts are now with all those that were onboard and he asked everyone to respect the privacy of the passengers after this frightening incident.

 

The aircraft landed at Dubai International Airport at around 12.45pm local time, which was followed by a statement from Dubai Airports after the incident occurred: “Dubai Airports can confirm that all operations (arrivals and departures) at Dubai International have been suspended until further notice following the incident this afternoon involving Emirates airline flight EK521.

 

“Dubai Airports will issue an update on the status of operations at DXB at 17.00hrs. Passengers are requested to contact their respective airlines for more information.”