Thiruvananthapuram-Dubai Emirates flight makes emergency return

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: An Emirates flight from Thiruvananthapuram to Dubai was forced to return after Dubai International Airport was closed following reports of a drone attack.

The flight took off at around 4:40 a.m. on Monday with 353 passengers and 19 crew members on board. About two hours into the journey, the pilot received instructions from air traffic control stating that Dubai airport had been closed and that the aircraft should land at the nearest safe airport. Following the alert, the pilot requested permission to return to Trivandrum International Airport. After receiving approval, the aircraft headed back to Thiruvananthapuram.

The flight reached the airport around 8:30 a.m. and circled in the air for about eight minutes to burn off excess fuel before landing safely on the runway at around 8:40 a.m. Airline officials later arranged accommodation outside the airport for the passengers.