Qatar Airways flight to Auckland declares mayday

Fuel being dumped before emergency landing.
Fuel being dumped before emergency landing. Photo credit: Supplied.

A flight from Doha to Auckland declared mayday shortly after take-off on Sunday.

The Qatar Airways aircraft was just minutes into the near 18-hour journey to Auckland, so had to burn a substantial amount of fuel before returning to Hamad International Airport.

Qatar Airways flight to Auckland declares mayday
Photo credit: FlightRadar24.com

A statement to Newshub from the airline confirmed the incident, saying QR920 had suffered a technical engine fault following take-off.

"The crew took all necessary precautions and the aircraft proceeded to land safely and without incident."

The Auckland bound passengers will board a different aircraft and start the already long journey down under for the second time.

Newshub.