A FlyDubai flight en route from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an unscheduled emergency landing in Riyadh on September 24, 2025, after an Israeli passenger suffered a stroke mid-air. The incident prompted swift cooperation between FlyDubai’s crew and Saudi authorities, marking a rare but efficient diversion despite the absence of formal diplomatic ties between Saudi Arabia and Israel.
In flight medical emergency triggers diversion to Saudi
FlyDubai flight FZ-180 departed from Dubai at 4:17 PM local time on its scheduled route to Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, carrying around 80 passengers, including over 50 Israeli nationals. Midway through the journey, one of the passengers—an Israeli national—suffered a stroke, prompting the crew to declare a medical emergency. According to ANI.Upon assessing the gravity of the situation, the flight crew immediately contacted Saudi Arabian air traffic control. Given the urgent need for medical attention, the aircraft received special clearance to land at King Khalid International Airport (RUH) in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia—approximately the midway point between Dubai and Tel Aviv.
Emergency landing and medical response in Riyadh
FlyDubai flight FZ-180 landed at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport at approximately 5:45 PM local time, where emergency responders were on standby. The affected passenger, an Israeli national, was promptly transferred to a local hospital for urgent medical treatment.While the passenger received care, the remaining approximately 80 passengers were asked to remain onboard the aircraft. According to reports from Ynet News, passengers described waiting on the tarmac for more than three hours, during which limited information was provided by the crew. One passenger, Rom Gedasi, shared that the delay felt unusually long and unclear. Another passenger, identified only as Miri, said the atmosphere onboard remained calm, despite passengers’ concerns about the emergency landing in Saudi Arabia.
Diplomatic coordination and airline acknowledgment
While Saudi Arabia and Israel do not maintain formal diplomatic relations, the incident demonstrated the ability of both nations to collaborate on humanitarian and aviation safety grounds. Saudi officials acted “in accordance with international aviation conventions,” as noted by Israel’s Foreign Ministry, and authorized the emergency landing without hesitation.FlyDubai issued a public statement thanking Saudi air traffic controllers, emergency medical responders, and airport officials for their professionalism and cooperation. The airline also praised its flight crew and operational teams, highlighting their swift decision-making and passenger care during the crisis.
