A Dubai-bound Emirates flight has been forced to return to Adelaide after reporting a mechanical issue while in the air.

Flight EK441 took off from Adelaide Airport at 10:35pm on Monday but pilots were forced to turn around before reaching the West Australian border.

An Adelaide Airport spokesperson said that the Airbus A350-900 landed shortly after 2am on Tuesday, with fire trucks in attendance "as a precaution" on the flight's arrival.

"Passengers have either returned home or have been accommodated in hotels," they said.

"We understand passengers have been rebooked on tonight's Emirates flight."

ABC News has approached Emirates for comment.