Emirates flight from Chennai turns back after drone hits Dubai

CHENNA: An Emirates flight bound for Dubai from Chennai with 206 passengers on board was forced to make a U-turn over the Arabian Sea in the early hours of Monday, reports Venkadesan S.

The decision was taken after authorities alerted the pilot about a fire at Dubai airport triggered by drone strikes near a fuel tank facility. The flight (EK543) took off from Chennai at 4am, but the pilot received an alert not to proceed further when the flight was flying at 34,000-ft over the Arabian Sea. Immediately, the flight returned to Chennai and landed safely at 6.45am. It was declared cancelled.