Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: Etihad Airways flight EY061 from Abu Dhabi to London Heathrow was forced to return to Zayed International Airport shortly after takeoff on May 20 after the crew detected a technical issue onboard.
The flight had departed Abu Dhabi normally before pilots decided to discontinue the long-haul journey and return as a precautionary measure. The aircraft landed safely back in Abu Dhabi, and no injuries were reported among passengers or crew.
Etihad Airways confirmed the incident in a statement, saying the return was carried out due to a “technical issue” and stressing that “safety remains our highest priority.” The airline later arranged a replacement aircraft to transport affected passengers to London Heathrow.
The Abu Dhabi-based carrier has increasingly relied on its reactivated Airbus A380 fleet for high-demand routes including London Heathrow after bringing several superjumbos back into service in recent years. The London route remains one of Etihad’s flagship long-haul operations.
The airlines across the Middle East continue dealing with airspace restrictions, regional tensions, and frequent route adjustments that have added pressure on flight operations and scheduling across the region.
Passengers experienced delays as ground teams inspected the aircraft and operational controllers coordinated an alternative departure. The disruption also affected the return London–Abu Dhabi rotation, creating knock-on scheduling delays within Etihad’s long-haul network.
