Rare ‘double reverse’ by Mumbai-Dubai Emirates flight as UAE intercepts ballistic missiles | Take a look

EK501 briefly turned back and held outside UAE airspace as air defences responded to ballistic missiles.

• Emirates flight EK501 held outside UAE due to missile alert
• Flight resumed and landed in Dubai after airspace cleared
• Regional airlines adjust routes amid Iran-US-Israel conflict

Did our AI summary help?

An Emirates flight from Mumbai to Dubai was temporarily held outside United Arab Emirates airspace on Tuesday morning after the UAE Ministry of Defence alerted that air defence systems were engaging ballistic missiles launched from Iran, according to Flightradar24 data.

The aircraft, Emirates flight EK501, was seen on live tracking data making what aviation observers described as a “double reverse” manoeuvre before ultimately landing in Dubai. The flight had departed from Mumbai, Maharashtra, and was en route to Dubai when the alert was issued.

And now for the rarely seen double reverse. https://t.co/Kn5v0kLg1fhttps://t.co/GpSPZVOVBPpic.twitter.com/2bcDIRFlBn

— Flightradar24 (@flightradar24) March 3, 2026

According to the live plane tracker on Flightradar24, the aircraft initially appeared to turn back toward Mumbai before resuming its route toward Dubai. It was then held outside UAE airspace as air defences responded to the missile alert. The plane later completed its journey and landed in Dubai.

The development comes as the conflict between the United States, Israel and Iran expands across West Asia, prompting heightened airspace restrictions and operational adjustments by airlines in the region.

Amid ongoing hostilities, limited flight operations were carried out on Monday to evacuate passengers stranded due to widespread flight cancellations and temporary airspace closures.

These limited operations were conducted after Dubai, Abu Dhabi and Sharjah airports resumed services. Dubai International Airport and Zayed International Airport had suffered damage during earlier Iranian strikes, largely from debris falling from intercepted drones. One person was reported killed in Abu Dhabi.

Airlines operating in the Gulf have been adjusting routes, suspending services and issuing advisories as missile and drone activity affects regional airspace.

On Saturday, the United States and Israel launched a joint military operation against Iran. During the strikes, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei was killed.

In response, Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes, vowing to target US and Israeli bases across the region. According to reports, Iranian strikes targeted US bases in Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Kuwait and Iraq.

The conflict has also extended to Lebanon, where Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah has joined the fighting.

The escalation has had ripple effects on civil aviation, energy markets and regional security arrangements, with multiple countries reviewing contingency plans and emergency protocols.