An Emirates flight heading to Dubai has been made to return to Kochi this morning after the sudden closure of Dubai International Airport due to a security alert.

The flight, which was carrying 325 passengers, had taken off from Cochin International Airport at around 4:30 am, only to land back at the airport at 8:30 am, according to sources at the airport. The flight, EK 533, was made to return to Kochi after authorities at Dubai International Airport shut the airport temporarily due to a security alert.

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Passengers asked to disembark after review

Airport sources said passengers were initially asked to remain on board while authorities monitored the situation in Dubai and assessed whether the flight could continue its journey.

However, after the airport remained closed for a longer period, passengers were asked to disembark. Officials said further instructions regarding the flight schedule would depend on when operations resumed at Dubai airport. The aircraft had already crossed into international airspace when the diversion decision was taken.

Regional tensions affecting flights

The disruption comes amid continued tensions in West Asia following military exchanges involving Iran, Israel, and the United States since late February.

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Air travel across parts of the region has been affected in recent weeks, with several services to West Asian destinations either cancelled or rescheduled after the escalation in hostilities.

Although flight operations have gradually resumed on many routes, services have not yet returned to the levels seen before the conflict intensified on February 28, aviation sources said. Officials added that temporary airport closures due to security alerts have become more frequent during periods of regional instability.