Stranded Passengers From Diverted Flydubai Flight Land Safely in Israel

Passengers from the diverted Flydubai flight have landed at Tel Aviv airport on Wednesday.

Flight Return

A Flydubai rescue flight carrying the stranded passengers departed Saudi Arabia and arrived at Israel's Ben Gurion International airport, according to Israel's airport authority and the Times of Israel. Earlier, Saudi Arabia turned down a request by Israel to allow Israeli military planes to bring back the passengers from the kingdom, two security sources noted on Wednesday.

Context

Direct flights between Saudi Arabia and Israel are rare because the two countries do not have formal diplomatic ties. Passenger flights typically use established regional corridors, making emergency diversions and subsequent rescue operations logistically sensitive.