Regarding Emirates Airlines’ several unsafe events during its recent operations in China, CAAC made an administrative appointment with Emirates Airlines’ leadership. CAAC Central South Regional Administration and CAAC Xinjiang Regional Administration also attended the meeting.

On April 17, an Emirates flight was flying at a wrong flight level in Urumqi airspace due to the mishearing of instructions by the crew, leading to a severe incident which could potentially trigger mid-air collision and was attributable to the crew. On May 18, an Emirates flight experienced an interruption of radio communication during its operation in Urumqi, which has been identified as an ordinary incident attributable to the crew after preliminary investigation.

During the appointment meeting, CAAC reported its evaluation and surveillance results of Emirates’ operation and statistical analysis of Emirates’ unsafe events in recent years. In particular, CAAC gave a detailed introduction of its safety investigation into the two unsafe events of Emirates, commented on Emirates’ safety problems in its operations in China, and proposed concrete recommendations on corrective actions to address safety issues. In addition, Emirates’ leadership reported their internal investigation into the unsafe events and their next-step measures to address safety issues.

In accordance with the findings related to the causes of the April 17 event, Emirates violated the Rules on the Examination and Approval of the Operation Certification of Foreign Public Air Transportation Carriers. In line with the aforesaid investigation results, CAAC will levy an administrative fine of 29 000 yuan on Emirates and will not approve within the next 6 months Emirates’ application for additional flights or points in China, in strict accordance with such rules and procedures as the Rules on the Examination and Approval of the Operation Certification of Foreign Public Air Transportation Carriers and the Procedures for Evaluation and Management of the Operation of Foreign Public Air Transportation Carriers.