A 747-400 plane has crashed near Emirates Road, a busy highway in the emirate of Dubai in the UAE, near the Dubai International Airport.

The UPS cargo plane went down between 8.30 and 9pm local time in the popular tourist city, killing both pilots.

Big News Network's correspondent in Dubai described billowing smoke seen near the crash site, although authorities closed access to the highway.

Rescue teams reportedly arrived swiftly at the scene and receovered the bodies of the pilots.

There are no reports yet on what caused the crash. The only people on board the plane, which had left Dubai for Cologne in Germany, were the two pilots.

"Safety is a key priority for UPS," the company's airline and international operations manager, Bob Lekites said in a statement.

"This incident is very unfortunate and we will do everything we can to find the cause. Our thoughts go out to the crewmembers involved in the incident and their families."

"We will also release more information as it becomes available, in cooperation with government authorities. We will not speculate about the cause. Until then, we ask for your patience in this difficult time," the statement said.

The UAE General Civil Aviation Authority told reporters the plane crashed and burst into flames in an unpopulated area between Emirates Road and Al Ain highway.