A giant Emirates A380 aircraft was yesterday forced to make an unscheduled stop at the Bandaranaike International Airport for refuelling.

The Airbus A380, the largest passenger aircraft in the world, with 517 passengers aboard, remained for over one hour until the fuelling was over, top airport sources told The Island last night.

Emirates sources claimed that it was a scheduled flight, though there was panic in travel and aviation circles that it was an emergency landing. Asked whether the Dubai bound flight from Australia was opting for Colombo as a fuelling destination, he said that  there was nothing specified at present by the Emirates management in Dubai, but he did not rule out the possibility of the option being pursed at a future date. Meanwhile, Emirates in a statement issued from Colombo said yesterday:"An Emirates Airbus A380 aircraft on a flight from Sydney to Dubai made a scheduled landing at the Bandaranaike International Airport, Katunayake early this morning (9th January) for re-fuelling. The refueling stop was scheduled before the flight’s departure from Sydney."

"This represents the first landing of an Airbus A380 aircraft in Sri Lanka. Emirates thanks and commends the Airport & Aviation authorities and ground handling staff at the Bandaranaike International Airport for their efficiency, which enabled the flight to be refuelled and take off in 53 minutes."

~ www.island.lk ~ By Ravi Ladduwahetty