Flight EK002 Safely Lands Back at Heathrow
An Emirates Airbus A380 flying from London Heathrow (LHR) to Dubai made a precautionary return shortly after take-off on New Year’s Eve due to a technical fault, the airline confirmed.
The flight, EK002, departed London at 13:40 GMT (5:40 pm UAE time) on December 31, 2025, but returned to Heathrow after the crew reported an issue with the aircraft’s landing gear system. The A380-800, registered as A6-EUF, is a nine-year-old aircraft in Emirates’ fleet.
Passengers and crew were safely disembarked, and the airline announced that all affected travelers would be rebooked on future Emirates flights from London.
Emirates Statement on the Incident
In an official statement, Emirates said:
“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 passengers and crew were disembarked without incident. Passenger safety remains our top priority.”
Flight Tracking and Online Attention
Flight tracking data indicated that the aircraft remained airborne for over an hour, circling to burn off fuel before landing safely on Runway 27R at 16:28 UTC (8:28 pm UAE time).
The incident quickly drew attention online, with Flightradar24 reporting EK002 as one of the most-tracked flights globally during that time. Travel expert Simon Calder tweeted that the aircraft “got no further than Maidstone in Kent before pilots turned back due to a landing gear problem,” circling over Orpington for two hours before landing safely.
Aircraft Details and Emirates Operations
The Airbus A380-800, powered by four Engine Alliance GP7000 engines, forms the backbone of Emirates’ long-haul operations, connecting Dubai with major international cities. The airline operates one of the world’s largest A380 fleets, providing premium travel services across its network.
Despite the technical issue, the incident concluded without injury or disruption, reaffirming Emirates’ commitment to passenger safety and operational reliability.
