![](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/0_NWC_MEN_31848502_result.jpg\")
(Image: FlightRadar24)<\/p>\nThe Emirates flight from Manchester to Dubai was forced to turn back after the airstrikes were launched during the journey<\/p>\n
09:32, 13 Jun 2025Updated 09:39, 13 Jun 2025<\/p>\n
(Image: FlightRadar24)<\/p>\n
Emirates have issued a statement after a flight from Manchester was rerouted mid-air following Israeli airstrikes in Iran.<\/p>\n
The Dubai-bound Emirates flight UAE20 left Manchester at 9:22pm on Thursday evening (June 12) and appeared to begin its usual route, according to data on FlightRadar24.<\/p>\n
However, flight route data shows the plane making a dramatic turnaround just before the Iranian border with Turkey before finally diverting to Istanbul.<\/p>\n
The M.E.N. understands the airstrikes took place while the flight was en-route, and it was forced to divert as it did not have enough fuel to be held in a holding pattern in the event of any restrictions.<\/p>\n
It comes after tensions have escalated in the Middle East overnight as Israel launched strikes on Tehran early on Friday<\/a>. The strikes, which were targeting the country\u2019s nuclear programme, have stoked fears of a full-scale conflict.<\/p>\n In a statement, an Emirates spokesperson confirmed flights had been cancelled and rerouted due to ‘recent airspace closures’.<\/p>\n “We are closely monitoring the situation and are making all efforts to ensure minimal disruption to customers, while assisting impacted passengers,” they said.<\/p>\n “Emirates advises customers departing or arriving at Dubai International Airport to check their flight status on emirates.com<\/a> for the latest information regarding their flights.\u201d<\/p>\n The attack, which took place in the early hours of Friday morning, appeared to be the most significant Iran has faced since its war with Iraq in the 1980s.<\/p>\n