Emirates Joins Etihad, FlyDubai, and Air Arabia Forced to Land Amidst Heart-Stopping Technical Failures and Medical Crises in Shocking Emergency Landings as Reports Unveil

Published on December 6, 2025

United Arab Emirates (UAE) carriers operate one of the world’s largest and busiest long‑haul fleets. Between January 2021 and November 2025 there were several occasions when aircraft linked to the UAE had to carry out emergency landings or return to base because of technical faults or medical emergencies. Although these incidents were rare relative to the number of flights, they show the need for constant vigilance. What follows is an overview of those events, grouped chronologically, based only on statements from airlines, airports or aviation regulators. As a result, purely speculative accounts, rumours or unverified social‑media reports are excluded.

2022 – Air Arabia emergencies

Hydraulic failure at Cochin (July 15 2022). A full emergency was declared at Cochin International Airport when Air Arabia flight G9‑426 from Sharjah reported a hydraulic‑pressure problem during the approach. The airport’s management said the aircraft landed on runway 09 at 19:29, and that the emergency would be withdrawn after one hour and fifty minutes once inspections were complete[1]. All 222 passengers and seven crew members were safe[2]. The airport added that the aircraft only needed towing and that passenger safety remained the priority[2].

Engine failure over India (June 6 2022). Another Air Arabia Abu Dhabi A320 (flight 3L‑062) flying from Chittagong, Bangladesh, to Abu Dhabi declared a mayday and diverted to Ahmedabad. India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) reported that the crew shut down the left engine following an apparent failure and declared a mayday, after which the aircraft landed safely in Ahmedabad[3]. Air Arabia said the diversion was a precaution taken in accordance with emergency procedures and that passengers were accommodated on another aircraft[4]. No injuries were reported and the DGCA opened a probe into the incident[3].

Engine problem returning to Dhaka (Oct 3 2022). An Abu Dhabi‑bound Air Arabia flight took off from Dhaka and soon after take‑off the pilots noticed an engine fault. Dhaka airport’s executive director said the crew informed air‑traffic control, declared an emergency and decided to return to Dhaka. The aircraft landed safely at 19:55 and passengers disembarked without injury[5]. Ground crews inspected the engine and the airline arranged alternate travel for passengers[5].

2023 – Emirates and Flydubai medical diversions

Emirates diversions due to medical emergencies (February 2023). In early 2023 Emirates operated several long‑haul diversions because of sudden passenger illness. On 7 February flight EK181 from Dubai to Brussels was diverted to Erbil, Iraq, after a passenger required urgent medical care; an Emirates spokesperson said the aircraft was met by medical staff, refuelled and continued its journey after the passenger was taken to hospital[6]. The next day flight EK415, an A380 operating Sydney–Dubai, diverted to Perth for a similar reason; Emirates said medical personnel met the passenger and the flight resumed soon after[7]. In September another A380, flight EK362 from Dubai to Guangzhou, diverted to Delhi because a passenger needed hospital treatment; the airline noted that the passenger was off‑loaded and the flight continued once refuelled[8]. These episodes underscore how on‑board medical incidents can lead to precautionary landings even without technical faults.

Flight EK15 to London diverted to Munich (Sept 12 2023). Emirates flight EK15 from Dubai to London Gatwick landed in Munich after a passenger suffered a medical emergency. In a statement the airline said the passenger was met by medical staff and the flight later continued to its destination[9]. The carrier apologised for the inconvenience and reiterated that passenger safety and well‑being guide operational decisions[9].

Flydubai bird‑strike incident (April 24 2023). A flydubai Boeing 737‑800 (flight FZ576) departing Kathmandu suffered a bird strike soon after take‑off that caused flames to appear from one engine. According to the Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal, the crew declared a ‘pan‑pan’ and assessed that the engine was functioning normally, then continued the flight to Dubai where the aircraft landed safely[10]. Flydubai said inspections would be carried out and confirmed that all passengers and crew arrived safely[10].

2024 – Diversions and security‑related disruptions

Technical fault on EK547 (Sept 25 2024). Emirates flight EK547 from Chennai to Dubai experienced a technical fault before departure. The airline said that engineers inspected the Boeing 777‑300ER and cleared it to depart after repairs; passengers were rebooked, and Emirates apologised for the disruption while emphasising that safety comes first[11]. Although the aircraft did not require an emergency landing, the event shows the airline’s caution in delaying departure for technical reasons.

Airspace closures and flight diversions (Oct 1 2024). Following a ballistic‑missile attack on Israel, Iran temporarily restricted regional airspace. Emirates announced that several flights were cancelled or rerouted as a precaution. The airline said it was working closely with authorities and encouraged passengers to check flight status updates[12]. These diversions were not caused by technical or medical emergencies but illustrate how geopolitical events can trigger emergency‑style route changes.

2025 – Etihad, Air Arabia and Flydubai emergencies

Rejected take‑off due to tyre failure (Jan 5 2025). Etihad Airways flight EY461 from Melbourne to Abu Dhabi aborted its take‑off when two tyres burst at high speed. Etihad stated that the crew halted the take‑off for technical reasons, the Boeing 787‑9 was safely stopped on the runway, and emergency services responded as a precaution[13]. Passengers disembarked unharmed and were placed on alternative flights[13]. The airline apologised and stressed that the safety of guests and crew was its top priority[13].

Air Arabia aircraft descends dangerously low after take‑off (Sept 20 2025). An Air Arabia Maroc Airbus A320 ferry flight from Catania, Italy, to Amman briefly descended to about 200 feet above the Mediterranean Sea soon after take‑off, triggering a ground‑proximity warning. Italy’s aviation regulator (ANSV) said the flight crew received a GPWS pull‑up alert and the aircraft climbed normally thereafter; investigators opened a serious‑incident inquiry[14]. Air Arabia Maroc told reporters that it was cooperating fully with the investigation and emphasised that safety and transparency are its highest priorities[15].

Flydubai diversions due to medical emergencies (Sept 24 & Dec 5 2025). On 24 September flydubai flight FZ‑180 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was forced to land at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport when a passenger suffered a stroke. The airline issued a statement thanking Saudi air‑traffic controllers and emergency responders for their swift assistance and commended its crew for prioritising passenger care[16]. Two months later, on 5 December, a flydubai Boeing 737 travelling from Moscow to Dubai diverted to Baku after a passenger fell seriously ill. Heydar Aliyev International Airport officials said the aircraft touched down safely at 05:30 local time, medical staff immediately treated the passenger and all procedures were carried out in line with international standards[17]. The airport noted that passenger safety remained its top priority[18].

Multiple Etihad diversions in August 2025. In late August two Etihad flights – one from Abu Dhabi to Toronto and another to Chicago – diverted to Iqaluit (Canada) and Vienna respectively after passengers required urgent medical treatment. Etihad confirmed that the aircraft diverted so that passengers could receive care and said that safety and passenger well‑being remained its primary concern[19][20]. Both aircraft later continued to their destinations.

Precautionary return of a Boeing 787 for fuel‑switch checks (July 16 2025). Following a fatal crash involving another airline, Etihad proactively returned a Boeing 787 bound for Hyderabad to Abu Dhabi to inspect its fuel‑control switches. The airline explained that the return was made to enable immediate inspection and stressed that Etihad complies with all manufacturer and regulatory safety protocols[21]. The aircraft subsequently re‑entered service without incident.

Passenger medical emergencies on Etihad flights (August 2025). Etihad announced via social media that flight EY10 (Chicago–Abu Dhabi) diverted to Vienna on August 29 and flight EY009 (Toronto–Abu Dhabi) diverted to Iqaluit on August 26 so that passengers could receive urgent medical attention[19][20]. The airline apologised to passengers and reiterated that such diversions are rare but necessary when a passenger’s health is at risk.

Emirates A380 wheel damage at Auckland (Nov 30 2025). After landing during heavy rain, an Emirates A380 suffered damage to two wheels at Auckland airport. New Zealand’s Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC) opened a serious‑incident investigation and said the aircraft taxied to the gate without injuries[22]. The event did not involve an emergency landing but is included because it triggered an official investigation and emphasised the challenges of operating large aircraft in adverse weather.

Discussion

The period from 2021 to November 2025 saw only a handful of emergency landings or diversions involving UAE‑linked carriers. Air Arabia experienced the most notable technical emergencies, with one hydraulic‑pressure failure and two engine‑related incidents in 2022 and an unusual ground‑proximity alert in 2025. Emirates, the largest operator, mainly faced diversions due to passenger medical emergencies rather than technical faults, reflecting the high prevalence of in‑flight health issues on ultra‑long‑haul routes. Flydubai’s major incidents were a bird‑strike fire that did not require diversion and two medical emergencies in late 2025. Etihad dealt with tyre damage, multiple medical diversions and a proactive return for safety inspections. In all cases, official statements emphasised that the crews followed established emergency procedures, passengers and crew remained safe, and flights resumed once authorities cleared the aircraft or passengers received care.

Conclusion

Although the UAE’s aviation sector operates thousands of flights each week, emergency landings and diversions are relatively uncommon. When they did occur between 2021 and November 2025, the causes ranged from technical issues like engine failures and hydraulic faults to medical emergencies and precautionary returns for inspections. Official statements from airlines, airports and regulators consistently highlighted adherence to safety protocols and cooperation with relevant authorities. The events summarised above demonstrate not only the preparedness of UAE carriers to handle unexpected situations but also the effectiveness of international aviation safety frameworks in ensuring that incidents are managed without loss of life.

References

1. Cochin International Airport statement on Air Arabia hydraulic failure (15 July 2022)[2].
2. DGCA and Air Arabia statements on engine failure and mayday diversion to Ahmedabad (6 June 2022)[3][4].
3. Dhaka airport director’s account of Air Arabia engine problem and emergency return (3 Oct 2022)[5].
4. Emirates statements on diversions to Erbil, Perth and Delhi for passenger medical emergencies (February 2023 and September 2023)[6][7][8].
5. Emirates statement on diversion to Munich due to medical emergency (12 Sept 2023)[9].
6. Flydubai and Civil Aviation Authority of Nepal statements after bird‑strike fire on flight FZ576 (24 April 2023)[10].
7. Emirates statement on technical fault causing delay on flight EK547 (25 Sept 2024)[11].
8. Emirates statement on rerouting flights due to regional airspace closures (1 Oct 2024)[12].
9. Etihad statement following rejected take‑off due to tyre burst in Melbourne (5 Jan 2025)[13].
10. Italian ANSV and Air Arabia Maroc statements on near‑sea descent after take‑off from Catania (20 Sept 2025)[14][15].
11. News.Az and Report.az accounts of flydubai diversion to Baku for a passenger medical emergency (5 Dec 2025)[17][23].
12. Flydubai statement thanking Saudi officials after diverting to Riyadh for a passenger stroke (24 Sept 2025)[16].
13. Etihad statements regarding diversions to Vienna and Iqaluit for passenger medical emergencies (26 & 29 Aug 2025)[19][20].
14. Etihad spokesperson’s statement on returning a Boeing 787 for fuel‑switch inspection (16 July 2025)[21].
15. New Zealand TAIC statement on Emirates A380 wheel damage at Auckland (30 Nov 2025)[22].