An Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft bound for Dubai faced an unexpected halt at Moscow Domodedovo Airport (DME) on March 27 after sustaining significant damage in a collision with a ground vehicle. The incident occurred as the aircraft, scheduled to operate flight EK134, was preparing for departure at 16:35 local time, with an intended arrival in Dubai at 23:15.
Social media images depict a yellow ground vehicle lodged beneath the superjumbo, causing substantial damage to its underbelly. The extent of structural harm suggests a prolonged stay in Moscow for repair, with the cancellation of the Dubai-bound flight. Fortunately, no injuries to passengers have been reported.
Emirates, contacted for comment by Simple Flying, is yet to respond, and updates will follow upon their statement.
The involved aircraft, registered as A6-EDM, is nearly 14 years old and can accommodate 489 passengers across three cabins. With close to 46,000 flight hours and over 5,600 flight cycles, the duration of its stay in Moscow for repairs remains uncertain.
Emirates, renowned for its extensive A380 operations, boasts 119 superjumbos in its fleet, of which 90 are actively serving. The airline utilizes various configurations, including a high-density, two-class setup seating up to 615 passengers. Despite occasional setbacks like this, the A380 continues to be a flagship aircraft for Emirates, serving prominent global routes.
Collisions between ground vehicles and aircraft, while infrequent, are not unprecedented in the aviation industry. Similar incidents have occurred previously, highlighting the need for stringent safety measures in airport operations.
 on March 27 after sustaining significant damage in a collision with a ground vehicle. The incident occurred as the aircraft, scheduled to operate flight EK134, was preparing for departure at 16:35 local time, with an intended arrival in Dubai at 23:15.){kind=link}