Flight EK002 Returns Safely Due to Technical Issue
Dubai: An Emirates Airbus A380 flying from London Heathrow (LHR) to Dubai on New Year’s Eve made a precautionary return shortly after take-off due to a technical fault, the airline confirmed.
The flight, EK002, departed LHR at 13:40 GMT (5:40 PM UAE time) on December 31, 2025, but turned back soon after take-off. The aircraft landed safely, and passengers along with the crew were disembarked without incident.
In a statement, Emirates said:
“Emirates flight EK002 departed London Heathrow for Dubai as scheduled, but returned shortly after take-off due to a technical fault. The flight landed safely, and all passengers will be rebooked on future Emirates flights from LHR.”
The airline apologised for the inconvenience and emphasized that the safety of passengers and crew is their top priority.
Details of the Incident
Flight tracking data indicated that the A380 remained airborne for over an hour before landing. The crew reported an issue related to the aircraft’s landing gear system shortly after take-off. The plane eventually touched down on Runway 27R at 16:28 UTC (8:28 PM UAE time).
The incident attracted significant attention online. Flightradar24, a popular flight tracking platform, listed EK002 among the most-tracked flights globally at the time.
Travel expert Simon Calder noted:
“500 Emirates passengers who took off from Heathrow for Dubai got no further than Maidstone in Kent before pilots decided to return due to a landing gear issue. The Airbus A380 circled over Orpington for two hours to burn fuel and landed safely.”
Aircraft Information
The flight was operated by an Airbus A380-800, registered as A6-EUF, a nine-year-old aircraft in Emirates’ fleet. The superjumbo is powered by four Engine Alliance GP7000 engines, a configuration commonly used across Emirates’ long-haul operations.
Emirates operates one of the largest A380 fleets in the world, which forms the backbone of its long-haul service connecting Dubai to major global cities.
Passenger Rebooking and Safety Measures
All affected passengers will be rebooked on future Emirates flights from London Heathrow. The airline reassured travelers that safety protocols were fully followed, with no injuries reported.
The incident serves as a reminder of the airline’s commitment to safety and the rigorous procedures in place for technical issues.
