The Emirates Airbus A380, the world’s largest passenger aircraft made an emergency stop at KIA
The world’s largest passenger aircraft, an Emirates Airbus A380 (A6-EUG), made its historic third stop in Accra at the Kotoka International Airport (KIA), but this time due to a reported smoke indication detected in the aircraft’s cargo hold.
Flight EK261, en route from Dubai to São Paulo, made the unscheduled diversion to Kotoka International Airport in Accra on January 9, 2026.
According to international aviation media reports, while flying southbound after crossing the African continent, the crew received intermittent smoke warnings from the forward cargo compartment.
FLASHBACK: World’s largest passenger aircraft lands in Accra for second historic time
Although such alerts can occasionally be triggered by faulty sensors, standard operating procedures require immediate assessment and, when necessary, diversion to the nearest suitable airport.
The A380 landed safely, and passengers disembarked while fire crews and ground personnel conducted inspections of the cargo hold.
This marks only the third time an A380 has landed at KIA, and the second involving an Emirates aircraft. The first Emirates A380 to land in Accra was in October 2018.
The second landing happened on September 29, 2022, almost four years after the Emirates A380 touched down in Accra at the Kotoka International Airport.
It involved a British Airways A380, also one of the world’s largest passenger aircraft.
🇬🇭 The world’s largest passenger aircraft, an Emirates Airbus A380 (A6-EUG), touched down at Kotoka International Airport today after Flight EK261 from Dubai to São Paulo/Guarulhos diverted to Accra due to a smoke indication in the cargo hold, reported via ACARS. pic.twitter.com/rQa78JOb7E
— CDR AFRICA (@cdrafrica) January 9, 2026
MAG/AE
