A Flydubai flight traveling from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an unscheduled landing in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Wednesday after a passenger suffered a medical emergency. The passenger, an Israeli citizen, experienced a stroke, prompting the flight crew to divert the aircraft for immediate medical attention.
Key Takeaways
- Flydubai flight FZ1125 from Dubai to Tel Aviv was diverted to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
- The diversion was due to an Israeli passenger suffering a stroke during the flight.
- The aircraft received special clearance to land in the Saudi capital.
- The passenger was transported to a local hospital in Riyadh for treatment.
- The flight later resumed its journey and continued to its destination in Tel Aviv.
Details of the In-Flight Incident
Flydubai flight FZ1125 departed from Dubai International Airport on Wednesday at 4:17 p.m. local time. The flight was en route to Ben-Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, with a scheduled arrival time of 6:15 p.m. The aircraft carried dozens of Israeli passengers.
During the flight, an Israeli national on board experienced a sudden medical crisis, which was later identified as a stroke. The flight crew responded swiftly to the emergency, determining that the passenger required urgent medical care that could not be provided on the aircraft.
A Significant Diversion
Commercial flights between Israel and Saudi Arabia are not routine, although Saudi Arabia opened its airspace to all carriers, including Israeli ones, in 2022. An emergency landing of a flight bound for Tel Aviv with Israeli passengers in Riyadh is a notable event, highlighting a level of humanitarian cooperation between the two nations.
Emergency Landing in Riyadh
To provide the necessary medical assistance, the pilot made the decision to divert the flight. The aircraft changed its course and headed for King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh. According to reports, the flight received exceptional clearance from Saudi authorities to land.
The aircraft landed in the Saudi capital at approximately 5:45 p.m. local time. Emergency medical teams were on standby to meet the plane upon its arrival. The affected passenger was immediately attended to by medical personnel and subsequently transported to a local hospital in Riyadh for further treatment.
Flight Information
- Airline: Flydubai
- Flight Number: FZ1125
- Origin: Dubai International Airport (DXB)
- Destination: Ben-Gurion International Airport (TLV)
- Diversion Airport: King Khalid International Airport (RUH)
Continuation of the Journey
After the passenger was safely transferred to the care of local medical services, the Flydubai aircraft prepared to continue its journey. All other passengers and crew remained on board during the stop in Riyadh.
Once cleared for departure, the plane took off from Riyadh and resumed its flight path to Tel Aviv. The incident caused a delay for the remaining passengers, but the primary focus was on addressing the life-threatening medical situation.
Humanitarian Cooperation
The decision by Saudi Arabia to grant landing rights to a flight bound for Israel in such circumstances is significant. While Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have formal diplomatic relations, this event demonstrates a willingness to cooperate on humanitarian grounds.
Allowing an aircraft with many Israeli citizens to land and providing medical care to one of them points to a practical level of communication and coordination. This type of cooperation is often seen as a positive step in regional dynamics, prioritizing human life over political differences.
The health status of the passenger currently being treated in the Riyadh hospital has not been publicly released. The event underscores the universal protocols followed by airlines and air traffic control centers worldwide during in-flight medical emergencies, where the nearest suitable airport is sought regardless of the flight's origin or destination.
