Relief, joy as first flight back from Dubai brings stranded Hongkongers home

Hong Kong travellers rejoiced on Wednesday evening after arriving home safely on the first flight from Dubai to the city since US-Israeli strikes on Iran disrupted global air links.Emirates flight EK380 was the first to arrive after Dubai’s two airports resumed “limited” operations two days ago, landing at around 9.50pm.Dubai-international-airport" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="38097" data-entity-type="location">Dubai International Airport and Al Maktoum International Airport were both closed on Saturday after the conflict broke out, with Iran retaliating by targeting US military bases in the Emirates" class="entity-link entity-location" data-entity-id="413" data-entity-type="location">United Arab Emirates (UAE) and other Gulf countries.Among the passengers on the Airbus A380 were jockey Karis Teetan and his family members.“Our flight was cancelled a couple of times, and we had to rebook a few times. Luckily this flight was on schedule and we are just happy to be here again,” he said.Jockey Karis Teetan (left) and his family had been in Dubai Photo: Sam TsangTeetan added he could hear the missiles flying through the air in Dubai and all he could do was remain in the hotel and avoid outdoor activities.