Edinburgh to Dubai flight turned back over Egypt due to airport drone attack

A flight carrying hundreds of passengers from Edinburgh to Dubai was forced to return after more than 11 hours in the air, following unexpected disruptions over Egypt. The Emirates flight EK24 departed from Edinburgh at 21:26 on Sunday, with a scheduled arrival in Dubai at 06:49 on Monday morning. However, while flying over Egyptian airspace, the aircraft had to turn back due to a suspension of flights at Dubai International Airport caused by a fire triggered by an Iranian drone striking a fuel tank.

No injuries were reported as a result of the drone strike, with officials assuring that all appropriate safety measures had been implemented. The temporary halt in air traffic was described by the authorities as a “precautionary measure to ensure the safety of all passengers and staff.” Later updates indicated a gradual resumption of flights at Dubai International Airport to select destinations, with passengers advised to check directly with their airlines for the latest information. Notably, Dubai International Airport was the world’s busiest for international travel in 2025, accommodating nearly 90 million travelers.

Simon Calder, a travel journalist, shared insights on BBC Radio Scotland Breakfast, highlighting the challenges involved. He noted that despite Dubai being on the UK Foreign Office’s “No go” list, many travelers continue to take the risk of flying there. Calder explained that the airport closed around 4 a.m., coinciding with the flight’s passage over Egypt. “Unfortunately the crew were told ‘back to where you started from’. What a miserable experience,” he said. He added that Scots rely heavily on flights to the Gulf and emphasized concerns about passengers flying back from regions like Australia, Asia, or Africa, where air passenger rights protections may not apply on non-EU or non-UK airlines.

The broader context includes escalating tensions, with Iran having launched close to 2,000 missiles and drones at the UAE over the course of the conflict, most of which were intercepted by air defenses. Saudi Arabia also reported shooting down dozens of drones overnight, while Iraq and Kuwait experienced further attacks. An Emirates spokesperson confirmed that the Edinburgh flight returned due to “operational disruption,” and Edinburgh Airport declined to comment further on the incident. Simon Calder concluded by acknowledging the increasingly difficult conditions faced by travelers in the region, noting many are willing to accept the risks to reach their destinations

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