UAE: Cairo-bound Emirates flight diverted back to Dubai due to technical fault
A Cairo-bound Emirates flight diverted back to Dubai recently due to a "technical fault", a spokesperson for the UAE flagship carrier told Khaleej Times in a statement on Thursday.The airline's flight EK929 departed Dubai on January 4, 2026. After take-off, a component of the air conditioning system failed, which led to a cabin pressurisation fault. The incident resulted in the automatic deployment of oxygen masks onboard, and the flight crew descended to a safe level. The crew of the Emirates Boeing 777-200 reportedly noticed the loss of cabin pressure while cruising over Saudi Arabia. The pilots initiated an emergency descent to 9,000 feet.Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.Passengers were re-accommodated on a replacement aircraft that left Dubai, the Emirates spokesperson clarified, while stressing that the aircraft underwent the necessary engineering inspections.A replacement Boeing 777-300 was reportedly deployed to operate the disrupted Cairo service. The flight reached Cairo International Airport with a delay of around eight hours. The incident did not result in any injuries."The flight and cabin crew followed all necessary safety procedures to ensure a safe and controlled return to Dubai," the spokesperson stated.The carrier extended its apologies for the inconvenience caused, highlighting that the safety of its passengers and crew remains of paramount importance.Similar incidentOn the first day of the new year, a similar incident took place when a Dubai-bound Emirates flight from London returned to its origin on New Year's Eve, the airline confirmed in a statement sent to Khaleej Times.The flight (EK002), which departed from London Heathrow (LHR) to DXB on December 31, returned to London shortly after take-off due to a "technical fault". Set to take off at 1.40pm (GMT), the flight landed back, and all "passengers and crew were safely disembarked", according to the Dubai airline.The plane touched down at Heathrow at 4.28pm, circling above London for over an hour and burning fuel. Emergency vehicles were on standby, waiting for the flight to land back at Heathrow.Emirates issues travel advisory on e-visa rules, ETA requirements for UK passengersEmirates airline announces Premium Economy class expansion to over 84 routesFree in-flight Wi-Fi, new destinations: How Emirates reshaped air travel in 2025
A Cairo-bound Emirates flight diverted back to Dubai recently due to a "technical fault", a spokesperson for the UAE flagship carrier told Khaleej Times in a statement on Thursday.
The airline's flight EK929 departed Dubai on January 4, 2026. After take-off, a component of the air conditioning system failed, which led to a cabin pressurisation fault. The incident resulted in the automatic deployment of oxygen masks onboard, and the flight crew descended to a safe level.
The crew of the Emirates Boeing 777-200 reportedly noticed the loss of cabin pressure while cruising over Saudi Arabia. The pilots initiated an emergency descent to 9,000 feet.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp Channels.
Passengers were re-accommodated on a replacement aircraft that left Dubai, the Emirates spokesperson clarified, while stressing that the aircraft underwent the necessary engineering inspections.
A replacement Boeing 777-300 was reportedly deployed to operate the disrupted Cairo service. The flight reached Cairo International Airport with a delay of around eight hours. The incident did not result in any injuries.
"The flight and cabin crew followed all necessary safety procedures to ensure a safe and controlled return to Dubai," the spokesperson stated.
The carrier extended its apologies for the inconvenience caused, highlighting that the safety of its passengers and crew remains of paramount importance.
Similar incident
On the first day of the new year, a similar incident took place when a Dubai-bound Emirates flight from London returned to its origin on New Year's Eve, the airline confirmed in a statement sent to Khaleej Times.
The flight (EK002), which departed from London Heathrow (LHR) to DXB on December 31, returned to London shortly after take-off due to a "technical fault". Set to take off at 1.40pm (GMT), the flight landed back, and all "passengers and crew were safely disembarked", according to the Dubai airline.
The plane touched down at Heathrow at 4.28pm, circling above London for over an hour and burning fuel. Emergency vehicles were on standby, waiting for the flight to land back at Heathrow.
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