Thiruvananthapuram, March 16 Flight operations to Dubai were disrupted after two Emirates flights returned to Kochi and Thiruvananthapuram airports following security concerns reported at the destination airport on Monday, authorities said.
Flight EK533 departed from Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL) at 4:30 am with 325 passengers on board. En route, the aircraft was directed to return due to the sudden closure of Dubai International Airport, airport spokespersons said.
The flight landed back at CIAL at 8:30 am, and the passengers were subsequently disembarked, the spokesperson said.
In addition, another Emirates flight bound for Dubai was cancelled, and both flights have been rescheduled for Tuesday, he said.
Flights to other Gulf countries continued to operate from CIAL.
Similarly, an Emirates flight bound for Dubai from Thiruvananthapuram returned to the airport here on Monday due to similar issues reported at the destination airport.
The airport spokesperson said the Emirates TRV–DXB flight returned midway after Dubai International Airport closed and landed at Thiruvananthapuram International Airport.
The flight with 353 passengers and 19 crew members departed at 4:40 am and returned at 8:40 am.
He said the passengers were transferred to the terminal.
The conflict in West Asia has affected flight operations, with flights being cancelled or rescheduled in recent weeks,