Dubai: An Emirates flight to Kiev has turned back to Dubai in the wake of a Mayalsian airliner being shot down over Ukraine.
Malaysia Airlines Boeing 777 from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur crashed on Friday in an area of eastern Ukraine where separatist rebels have been engaging Ukrainian military forces in recent weeks, killing all 295 people on board.
The airline has suspended all flights to the Ukraine capital.
A statement on the Dubai airline's website said: "Emirates flight EK171 Dubai-Kiev on 17 July has returned to Dubai due to the safety concerns raised with the latest reports on Malaysian flight MH17.
"Our flights to Kiev are suspended with immediate effect, till further notice. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. The safety of our customers and crew is paramount, and we will continue to monitor the situation carefully.
"In response to queries, Emirates flights to and from the USA and other European destinations fly a different route and are outside the zone where the incident involving MH17 occurred."
Ukraine accused militants fighting to unite eastern Ukraine with Russia of shooting down the jet with a heavy, Soviet-era ground-to-air missile as it flew from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur.
