Flydubai Flight Diverted to Saudi Arabia After Mid-Air Emergency

A Flydubai flight carrying 174 Israelis, including the son and two grandchildren of Elyakim Itli, was diverted to Saudi Arabia following a severe mid-air incident. Itli, who was waiting at Ben Gurion Airport to greet his family returning from Japan, described hours of anxiety as he received fragmented information about the unfolding events. Initially, the flight was scheduled to land in Tel Aviv, but it was rerouted to Saudi Arabia, leaving the waiting family in the dark about the cause.

According to Itli, his family members on board reported hearing numerous screams during the flight. They also witnessed a crew member emerge from the cockpit with blood on his shirt. Itli recounted that three Israeli passengers entered the cockpit, and he understood that one of them managed to stabilize the aircraft. The family's fear was heightened by suspicions that an armed individual intended to harm the second pilot and cause the plane to crash.

"They heard a lot of screams, and then, at one point, saw one of the crew from the cockpit come out with a shirt with blood on it," Itli said. He also mentioned that his family described the plane losing 15,000 feet in altitude within a single minute, a drastic descent that he, as an experienced traveler, recognized as highly unusual and dangerous.

The situation took a turn for the better when the flight landed safely in Saudi Arabia, and Itli's family was able to speak with their loved ones. The passengers are reportedly being cared for by Saudi authorities. Options for their onward journey include a replacement crew from Dubai or a team from Israel. In a twist of fate, another daughter of Itli and her infant son, who were also returning from Japan, narrowly missed being on the diverted flight, having secured seats on a later flight due to a lack of space.

Itli expressed immense relief that his son and grandchildren, along with the other passengers, are safe on the ground. "There are many miracles and blessings here," he concluded, emphasizing the gravity of the incident and the fortunate outcome.