An unexpected turn of events unfolded on Monday night as Air Seychelles flight HM022, en route from Seychelles to Tel Aviv, was forced to make an unscheduled landing in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The flight, carrying 128 Israeli passengers, encountered a technical issue that prompted the diversion, according to a statement from the airline.
The technical glitch, later identified as an electrical problem by Hebrew media reports, necessitated an immediate landing. Notably, the pilots did not declare an emergency landing. Despite the unforeseen circumstances, all passengers were reported to be safe and sound.
Air Seychelles swiftly took action to address the situation, dispatching a replacement flight to transport the passengers from Jeddah back to Tel Aviv. The Israeli Foreign Ministry remained engaged and informed throughout the process.
Surprising Reactions
In a surprising twist, passengers spoke of their warm treatment by the Saudi authorities during their unexpected stopover. Initially stressed and unsure about the situation, passengers found themselves comforted by the unexpected hospitality. Some passengers even shed tears upon landing in Jeddah due to the emotional rollercoaster caused by the diversion, reports The Times of Israel.
This incident sheds light on the evolving dynamics in the Middle East. For decades, the Arab world and Israel have been hostile to each other. Twenty-eight states, including Iran, Syria and Saudi Arabia, have not recognized Israel to this day. Accordingly, they do not maintain any diplomatic relations with the state.
The convergence also has an impact on air traffic. However, last year Saudi Arabia fully opened its airspace to overflights by Israeli airlines. Although the countries have not established formal diplomatic relations, the incident showcases a growing willingness to cooperate during unexpected circumstances.
Furthermore, this incident underscores the importance of the Abraham Accords, which facilitated the opening of Saudi airspace for Israeli flights to and from the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. Air Seychelles operates three weekly direct flights between Tel Aviv and Mahe, the capital of the Republic of Seychelles.
