By Neil Halligan

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Posted inTransport

Medical emergency causes delay to Emirates flight to JFK

Flight had to burn off fuel for a period of two and a half hours over Dubai before landing back at airport

By Neil Halligan
(AFP/Getty Images - for illustrative purposes only)
(AFP/Getty Images - for illustrative purposes only)

An Emirates Airline flight to New York’s JFK on Thursday morning returned to Dubai due to a passenger medical emergency.

The A380 aircraft took off just after 9am but had to return to Dubai International following the on-board emergency, the airline confirmed.

The flight had to burn off fuel for a period of two and a half hours over Dubai before returning to Terminal 3.

The New York flight eventually left Dubai just after 4.30pm and is due to land in New York at 9.30pm (according to Emirates’ website), seven hours behind schedule.

A spokesperson for the carrier said: “Emirates flight EK 201 from Dubai to New York JFK on 26 February returned to Dubai due to a passenger medical emergency.

“The aircraft has landed and the passenger is being assisted off the aircraft to receive medical attention. Emirates apologises for any inconvenience. The safety of our passengers and crew is always of paramount importance.”

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