Passenger plane flies for 13 hours…but lands at same airport it took off from: nightmare for travelers as Dubai-Auckland flight has to turn around due to flooding in New Zealand
A passenger plane taking off from Dubai flew for 13 hours and landed at the same airport after being forced to turn back in mid-air.
Flight EK448 took off at 10.30am local time on Friday and was scheduled to land in Auckland. New Zealand16 hours later.
But the Emirates flight landed back in Dubai just after midnight on Saturday severe flooding at Auckland Airport.
It was about halfway through the 9,000-mile journey before it was forced to turn back to its departure airport.
A passenger plane that took off from Dubai flew for 13 hours and landed at the same airport after making a mid-air turn
A state of emergency was declared in Kiwi City after a torrential attack wreaked havoc on the transport hub.
The airport said on Twitter: “Auckland Airport has assessed the damage to our international terminal and has unfortunately determined that international flights are unable to operate today.
“We know this is extremely frustrating, but passenger safety is our top priority.”
More than 2,000 passengers were forced to stay overnight in the terminals on Friday when international and domestic flights were suddenly canceled until Sunday.
The downpour was caused by warm air descending from the tropics, triggering torrential rain and thunderstorms.
Social media photos (above) show the International Terminal check-in area knee-deep in flood water
Both domestic and international airports have been closed due to the Auckland floods (stranded passengers pictured)
Rain records in the city were broken, with the airport logging 9.8 inches in the 24 hours to 9 a.m. Saturday, surpassing the 1985 high of 6.3 inches.
At least 5,000 homes and businesses were surveyed for flood and landslide damage, and several roads remained closed.
The state of emergency for Auckland and surrounding counties was lifted Monday morning, but Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown warned dangerous conditions were likely to return on Tuesday.
“My team’s current focus and our major concern is that some Aucklanders might think the worst is behind us, but it isn’t,” Brown told reporters.
He said up to 5 inches of rain were forecast in some areas that were already soaked.
Passengers leaving Auckland were left stranded as flood waters engulfed international and domestic airports (airport check-in pictured).
At least 5,000 homes and businesses were surveyed for flood and landslide damage, and several roads remained closed
“This is nothing like Friday night, but the ground is so saturated and the drains are so full that it could be even more dangerous than Friday,” Brown said.
He said the number of residents in and around Auckland asking for help due to storm damage will continue to rise.
“It took some time for everyone to realize how big and widespread this event was and it’s not over yet,” he said.
“The sinking was by far the largest in our history. It went far beyond what our task forces had imagined or planned.”
Tuesday’s heavy rain warning covered Auckland and further north in the North Island.
“This rain is expected to cause dangerous river conditions and significant flooding. Slips and flooding are likely to disrupt travel, make some roads impassable and potentially isolate communities,” MetService said in a statement.
Schools in Auckland will remain closed until next week.
