HONG KONG— The national airline of the UAE, Emirates Airline (EK), operating flight EK382 from Dubai International Airport (DXB) to Hong Kong International Airport (HKG), was unexpectedly diverted to Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) in Taiwan on 14 July 2025.
The Boeing 777-31H(ER), with the registration A6-EPU, had to abandon multiple landing attempts at Hong Kong (HKG) and divert for operational and safety reasons.
Emirates flight EK382, which operates as a long-haul service from Dubai (DXB) to Hong Kong (HKG), encountered significant challenges during its arrival phase.
Data from the flight suggests that the aircraft made at least two unsuccessful landing attempts at HKG before deciding to divert.
Flight tracking manifests showed the aircraft holding patterns over the Pearl River Delta region before the diversion decision was made.
Although unverified reports indicated a medical emergency on board as a potential reason for the diversion, there are conflicting accounts. Observers in aviation noted that weather conditions, particularly consistent winds of around 12 knots, may have exacerbated the difficulties encountered during landing.
Some believe that Emirates decided to divert to mitigate risks or avert further scrutiny regarding their operational choices, similar to an earlier incident in 2023 involving a Singapore runway excursion.
The aircraft managed to land safely at Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) in Taiwan, constituting a notable deviation from its intended destination. Currently, no official information about the medical situation or the specific weather challenges faced has been released by Emirates (EK).
On the following day, July 15, 2025, aircraft A6-EPU undertook a repositioning flight from Kaohsiung to Hong Kong as UAE382D.
Flight Details
- Flight Number: EK382 / UAE382
- Aircraft: Boeing 777-31H(ER)
- Registration: A6-EPU
- Departure: Dubai International Airport (DXB) — 03:15 local time
- Planned Arrival: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
- Actual Landing: Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH), Taiwan
- Flight Date: 14 July 2025
The Boeing 777-31H(ER) is known for being a widebody and long-range aircraft, designed to manage lengthy diversions effectively.
Weather and Airport Conditions
Although 12-knot winds are generally manageable for a large aircraft like the 777-300ER, local weather factors, including crosswinds, low visibility, and turbulence around Hong Kong (HKG), may have contributed to the unsuccessful landing attempts.
The Hong Kong airport is renowned for its challenging weather patterns, impacted by its coastal location and surrounding topography.
Without an official statement clarifying the operational reasons beyond the possible medical emergency, the specifics remain speculative.
The diversion decision prioritised passenger safety and ensured that any medical concerns received prompt attention.
Similar Incident
In a related event, Emirates flight EK225 (UAE51N) performed a go-around at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) after encountering windshear just 50 feet above the ground. The Airbus A380-841, with registration A6-EUV, successfully landed on the subsequent attempt without any issues.
Flight data indicates that EK225 departed from Dubai International Airport (DXB) at 8:57 AM local time and reached SFO after nearly 16 hours in flight. Despite the adverse conditions, the adept crew navigated the situation effectively, demonstrating their operational expertise.
Go-arounds are a typical safety procedure in aviation, especially if approach or landing conditions are compromised.
The FAA Air Traffic Organization data shows that go-arounds happen in about 0.3% of arrivals at major U.S. hub airports, which aligns with the historical rates observed at San Francisco.
Stay connected with us for ongoing updates and follow our social media for the latest announcements.
Join our Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates, and follow us on Google News.
Based on an article from aviationa2z.com: https://aviationa2z.com/index.php/2025/07/16/emirates-777-pilots-failed-to-land-twice-at-hong-kong/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=emirates-777-pilots-failed-to-land-twice-at-hong-kong
