Video clips circulated on social media showed thick black smoke billowing from the centre of the plane, which was on ground.
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Dubai Airports authority said it cancelled 116 arriving flights and another 121 departing since the accident just after midday Wednesday, while 44 planes were diverted to nearby Emirati airports. The aircraft took off from Thiruvananthapuram and was carrying 282 passengers with 18 crew members.
Emirates predicted there would be an eight-hour delay in operations across its network, disrupting travel plans for thousands of passengers during the busy summer vacation season.
The QF1 flight had been flying for about an hour yesterday afternoon when a cabin temperature warning light came on, prompting the captain to make the call to return to Sydney.
The passengers managed to escape from the flight. The airport is continuing to operate with only one runway while investigators study the wreckage to determine the cause of the crash.
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The Dubai Media Office said flights resumed at the airport a little before 7pm.
The aircraft, a Boeing 777-300 registration A6-EMW powered by Rolls-Royce Trent 800 engines, was delivered to Emirates in March 2003. “Our main priority now is the safety and well-being of all involved, the post added”.
Another passenger leaving the airport with his family said there had been a problem with the landing gear.
The plane touched down and soon the smoke and fire was visible.
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According to Quest, Dubai-based Emirates is the largest airline in the world by available seat kilometers, while Dubai (DBX) is now the busiest worldwide airport for global passengers.
