The passenger aircraft arrived from the Middle East into Edinburgh Airport at around 8pm on Wednesday.
22:04, 04 Mar 2026Updated 00:22, 05 Mar 2026
First Emirates flight arrives back from Dubai as Scots share relief to be back on home soil
Hundreds of relieved travellers have stepped off the first Emirates flight from Dubai after it landed in Scotland following days of US Israel missile attacks on Iran.
The passenger aircraft arrived from the Middle East into Edinburgh Airport at around 8pm on Wednesday. The plane was carrying hundreds of tourists who were caught up in the conflict after it spilled over into Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and Oman.
Iranian counter-attacks erupted over the weekend after the US and Israel launched a joint missile attack on Iran, triggering multiple regional airspace closures. Airlines serving the Middle East cancelled or diverted a large number of flights in the wake of air strikes including Emirates Airlines, Qatar Airways, and British Airways, who all scaled back their schedules, citing safety concerns.
Kevin McLean, daughter Ashleigh and grandson Hayden at the airport(Image: Daily Record)
The Edinburgh flight was among a small number of flights resuming on Wednesday after thousands of routes were suspended. The Record met the delighted travellers as they touched down in the capital as they shared their joy at being back on home soil.
An emotional Brain Cameron, 59, was standing waiting for his wife Victoria to come off the plane with a bunch of flowers.
Brian and Victoria Cameron(Image: Daily Record)
After walking into arrivals Victoria, 57, who is originally from South Africa but now lives with her husband in Larkhall, told the Record: “I’m so happy to be home in Scotland. It has been horrendous.
“There has been no communication. None of us knew what was happening.
“I’m back here by pure luck. When I got to the airport I was told that I wasn’t booked on the plane. I’ve been in these clothes since Saturday when we evacuated and I begged and pleaded and cried and I was put on standby.”
Speaking of the terror of Saturday when the country was hit by drones, she continued: “We were standing queuing to get into the hotel when we saw the missiles.
“One came above us and we just started screaming. The hotel staff told us to run. It was terrifying. We were shaking, we were crying. It was horrendous. I just can’t wait to get home now and have a cup of tea.”
Jack Crowe, 26, from the Borders, said: “I was following this jet go passed and there was just this massive explosion. A smoke plume went up into the sky and I was like ‘something just hit that building’.
Tourists arrive back in Edinburgh(Image: Daily Record)
“I knew then I wanted to go home, I was like ‘is this real?’ You know you see all the time on the news about wars and stuff like that.
“It’s been three days and I still jump at noises. I am just glad to be home and be with my family now.”
The Emirates flight EK23 took off at 3.10pm local time and landed at around 8pm in the Scottish capital.
Long-haul travel remains heavily affected in the region as the conflict continues, with airline passengers being urged to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport.
Ashleigh McLean, 30, and her son Hayden Bell, 9, stood for over an hour waiting for Kevin McLean.
Little Hayden was teary eyed as he held up a sign saying ‘Welcome Home’ as his granda walked into departures.
Kevin, 64, from Hawick, said: “It’s good to be home. We weren’t near where everything was kicking off but we could hear the explosions.
“When I was stuck there I just knew my family were nervous. It’s just great to be back with them. Now I’m off to watch the end of the Celtic game”
Loved ones hug each other on return to Scotland(Image: Daily Record)
An Emirates flight bound for Glasgow was cancelled on Wednesday. A flight from Dubai Airport to the city is, however, scheduled to go ahead on Thursday, departing the UAE commercial capital at 7.20am local time and landing in Glasgow at 11.25am GMT.
Flights to Heathrow, Gatwick, and Manchester also went ahead on Wednesday, having commenced earlier this week.
The US and Israeli war with Iran entered its fifth day on Wednesday, as explosions sounded in Iran’s capital city. Since the conflict began on Saturday, more than 100,000 Britons in the Middle East have registered for UK government help.
Graeme Souness was one of the Scots left stranded in Abu Dhabi after the Middle East conflict broke out. The Rangers legend said he heard loud bangs from Zayed International Airport on Saturday.
Love Island star Laura Anderson was also left trapped in Dubai with her daughter after the city was bombarded with Iranian airstrikes.
Global tensions are rising with the Israel-US-Iran clashes, especially after Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was killed in recent strikes(Image: Contributor/Getty Images)
An Emirates spokesperson said: “All scheduled Emirates flights to and from Dubai remain suspended until 2359hrs UAE time on March 4, due to airspace closures across the region. Emirates continues to operate a limited number of passenger repatriation and freighter flights on 3 and 4 March. We are accommodating customers with earlier bookings as a priority on these limited flights.
“Do not go to the airport unless you have been notified directly by Emirates or hold a confirmed booking for these flights. Emirates continues to monitor the situation, and we will develop our operational schedule accordingly.”
Customers are asked to check the airline’s website for further information.
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