Emirates pilot averts disaster at Dubai airport

The quick reactions of an Emirates pilot averted a potential catastrophe at Dubai International Airport on Sunday morning.

While coming into land, the Airbus A330-200 pilot spotted another aircraft already on the same runway and took off immediately after initially touching down.

"Emirates flight EK 523 from Trivandrum to Dubai landed at 0722 on November 7, 2010. The aircraft initiated a go-around sequence at the time of landing, after momentarily touching the runway,” an Emirates spokesperson said, in an emailed reply to Arabian Business.

“This is a standard procedure initiated by crew or Air Traffic Control to ensure the safe operation of the flight."

The A330-200 aircraft later landed safely, with no injuries reported.

The identity of the second aircraft on the runway has not been disclosed.

“The safety of our passengers and crew is of paramount importance and will not be compromised,” the Emirates statement added.