Emirates Says 300 Passengers Safe after Planes Collision

Emirates airline has confirmed that its flight from Lagos to Dubai on July 6 had to be aborted after the aircraft made contact with another plane parked on the runway.

The incident occurred on Monday evening in the Nigerian capital, when Emirates flight EK782 was taxiing down the runway when the wing of the aircraft made contact with a parked HAK Air plane at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport.

An Emirates spokesperson confirmed the incident, stating: “Emirates can confirm that flight EK782 from Lagos to Dubai on 6th July made minor contact with the aircraft of another carrier while taxiing. All passengers and crew safely disembarked the aircraft, and were transferred back to the terminal after the incident.

“Passengers were provided overnight hotel accommodation and were flown to Dubai on other Emirates services on 7th July.”

News media in Nigeria add the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) has commenced an investigation to find out the cause of the incident.

Reports claim approximately 300 passengers were on board the Emirates Boeing 777-200 flight, with the aircraft sustaining minor damage when its wing made impact with HAK Air aircraft, which sustained damage to its tail.

The incident occurred at around 9:30pm when the aircraft was taxing to the take-off point for departure from the country to Dubai.