Flight EK302 approached Shanghai Pudong International Airport on July 22 after about seven hours in the air when thunderstorms made landing unsafe, forcing the crew to divert to Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport, according to the South China Morning Post.
The crew initially expected to resume the flight once weather conditions in Shanghai improved, so immigration procedures for the passengers were not activated in Hangzhou, Malay Mail reported.
Emirates Airlines Airbus A380-800 plane approaches for landing at Dubai Airports in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Dec. 26, 2018. Photo by Reuters
However, the prolonged delay exceeded the crew's legal flight duty limits, forcing Emirates to dispatch a replacement crew. Under aviation regulations, flight crews cannot remain on duty beyond a set number of hours before mandatory rest periods are required.
During the wait, the Airbus A380's air-conditioning system reportedly lost power, leaving passengers in uncomfortable conditions. Some said emergency medical personnel were called after several people became unwell, Channel News Asia reported.
