Emirates A380 in YPPH
A medical emergency has grounded a Sydney-bound Emirates A380 this morning, with the flight forced to land at Perth.
The A380, with 490 passengers aboard, was operating a Dubai to Sydney non-stop flight when a passenger suffered a stroke, forcing the diversion to Perth.
The plane touched down at Perth at 6.34am but the aircraft was further delayed by an unspecified technical problem. This delayed its departure for Sydney, which resulted in the flight's crew reaching the limit of their shift hours.
Emirates was then forced to the expense of flying a fresh crew from Sydney on a Qantas flight. They are due to arrive at 1.15pm.
The A380 is expected to depart for Sydney by 2pm.
The passengers are being kept in the in-transit lounge due to a customs requirement, although Emirates has been able to get 40 passengers transferred to domestic flights to Sydney so they can meet appointment and function deadlines.
The unusual emergency marks just the second visit of the giant A380 jet to Perth,
On October 14 last year a Qantas A380 flew to Perth, on a demonstration flight before entering service on the Melbourne-Los Angeles route.