Medical emergency diverts A380 to Perth

One of the world's biggest passenger airliners made an unexpected stopover in Perth due to a medical emergency.

On Thursday night, an Airbus A380 travelling from Melbourne to Dubai was forced to divert to the West Australian capital after a passenger became unwell.

The passenger departed the aircraft, Qantas flight QF9, for medical treatment.

Qantas doesn't currently operate its A380 fleet in and out of Perth.