A fake video showing an Emirates plane crashing in Abu Dhabi has gone viral, causing widespread panic among the airline’s passengers and their families. The video, which was reportedly AI-generated, first surfaced on TikTok before quickly spreading across various other social media platforms. This incident has highlighted the increasing problem of misleading digital content online.
AI tools are being utilized more often to create hyper-realistic fake videos, leading to confusion and fear among viewers. While these technologies offer benefits for creative industries, their misuse can cause significant harm, including reputational damage and unnecessary alarm, as seen in this case involving Emirates.
In response to the viral video, Emirates Airlines, based in Dubai, has firmly rejected its authenticity. In an official statement, the airline emphasized, “We are aware of a video circulating on social media depicting an Emirates plane crash. Emirates confirms it is fabricated content and untrue.”
“We are working with social media platforms to have this video removed or marked as digitally created. Unfortunately, their response times are not fast enough, which led us to issue this statement. Safety is at the heart of our operations. We urge people to trust official sources and avoid spreading false information,” the airline added.
Emirates is known for its excellent safety record since its founding in 1985, having only experienced one crash causing hull loss—Flight EK521 on August 3, 2016. The Boeing 777-300 had to make a crash landing in Dubai following a failed go-around attempt. Fortunately, all 300 people aboard survived, although a firefighter tragically lost his life. The airline’s crew was praised for their swift evacuation efforts.
