Overview
- The flight from Dubai to Shanghai was diverted to Hangzhou on Wednesday, July 22 after severe thunderstorms made descent into Shanghai unsafe, and passengers remained on the A380 for up to 17 hours.
- The long tarmac wait exceeded legal crew flight‑duty limits, forcing Emirates to dispatch replacement pilots and cabin crew from Shanghai and delaying any immediate decision to open immigration at Hangzhou.
- Passengers reported the aircraft’s air‑conditioning failing around 3am and other mechanical issues, and social‑media posts said emergency services responded onboard when some people fainted.
- Replacement crew arrived at about 4am and attempted to restart systems, but the captain later cancelled the onward flight near 6am and passengers were bused to hotels and given transport to Shanghai.
- The A380 stayed at Hangzhou for two days before returning to Dubai on July 24; the incident drew criticism of the airport operator’s handling, highlighted how immigration and duty‑time rules can amplify diversions, and prompted Emirates to apologise and promise follow-up for affected passengers.