US freight carrier UPS has been identified as the operator of a flight which has crashed in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

There is no confirmation of the aircraft type involved, although a preliminary report suggests the jet is a Boeing 747 which had departed for Cologne and was attempting to return.

UPS operates several freighter types including the Boeing 747, 767, MD-11 and Airbus A300-600. The carrier has confirmed that it was operating the service.

It states that one of its aircraft "has been involved in an accident" in Dubai. "We are working to obtain additional details," it says.

Initial reports from Dubai suggest that the aircraft has come down in a military base outside of the city.

Dubai has two major airports: Dubai International and the new Al-Maktoum International which recently opened for freight services.

Source: Air Transport Intelligence news