Flight EK31 declared a general emergency over Europe, landed safely in Germany and arranged onward travel to London, as UAE authorities pursued an investigation into Wednesday’s security incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai. An Emirates Airbus A380 flying from Dubai to London Heathrow made an unscheduled landing in Frankfurt on Thursday after a passenger suffered a medical emergency onboard.
Flight-tracking data showed the aircraft, an Airbus A380-861 registered A6-EDX, transmitting squawk code 7700 before descending towards Frankfurt. Aviation tracking site AIRLIVE reported that the aircraft had been cruising at about 40,000 feet before the diversion.
“Emirates can confirm that flight EK31 from Dubai to London Heathrow diverted to Frankfurt on 1 October due to a medical emergency involving a passenger onboard,” an Emirates spokesperson said. The aircraft was diverted to Tabuk in Saudi Arabia after an altercation in the cockpit, according to the UAE Foreign Ministry. The ministry said the inquiry will also examine any possible connection to terrorist activity or intent.
The code is used by flight crews to alert air traffic control to a general emergency. The Frankfurt diversion came a day after a separate security incident aboard Flydubai flight FZ1073, which was travelling from Dubai to Tel Aviv. UAE Attorney-General Hamad Saif Al Shamsi has ordered a specialised Public Prosecution team to investigate the circumstances, motive and any evidence of planning connected with the Flydubai incident.
Accordingly, UAE law applies to crimes committed on board the aircraft, even when they occur outside UAE territory,” the statement said. “The Ministry affirmed that the UAE’s judicial authorities have jurisdiction to investigate the incident under applicable legislation, as the aircraft is registered in the UAE and bears its flag.
