The Emirates flight, which departed from Dubai to New Zealand, returned to the place where it started. After a long journey of 13 hours, the plane returned to its starting point without reaching its destination.
Flight EK 448 departed from Dubai to New Zealand at 10.30 am local time. After traveling 9,000 km (halfway), the plane took a U-turn and landed in Dubai itself. The flight was diverted due to the closure of Auckland Airport due to flooding in New Zealand.
Oakland airport officials stated that the decision to close the airport was made for the safety of passengers, even though it was a desperate step. International terminals at the airport need to be checked for damage. Therefore, the authorities have clarified through a tweet that there will be no international flight services until the inspection is completed.
Officials informed that the services were suspended till seven in the morning on Sunday and later the services were resumed.
Oakland experienced the heaviest rain on Friday. New Zealand’s biggest city has been put on alert. The warning has not been lifted as the rain will continue this week. Officials also informed that four people have died in severe floods so far.