Saudi Arabia Shines as Global Savior: Emergency Landings Sees Raises New Questions About Future Travel

Published on December 6, 2025

Saudi Arabia operates some of the busiest air routes in the Middle East. King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah, King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and other airfields handle millions of passengers every year. Although the Kingdom’s airlines and airports strive for high safety standards, several flights faced emergencies between January 2020 and November 2025. The cases below are taken from official airline statements, civil aviation authorities or other government‑verified sources. They provide a chronological overview of the circumstances, responses and outcomes of each emergency.

August 2023 – Air Seychelles HM022 makes unscheduled landing in Jeddah

On 28–29 Aug 2023 an Air Seychelles Airbus A320 operating flight HM022 from the Seychelles capital Mahé to Tel Aviv encountered an electrical problem while over the Red Sea. The pilots declared an emergency and diverted to King Abdulaziz International Airport (KAIA) in Jeddah. According to Air Seychelles, the aircraft landed safely with 128 Israeli passengers on board. The airline’s statement said that all passengers were safe, a replacement aircraft was dispatched and the damaged jet was undergoing repairs[1]. Israel’s Foreign Ministry also confirmed that a replacement flight transported the travellers to Tel Aviv the next day[1]. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu publicly thanked Saudi authorities for their hospitality and called their conduct a sign of “good neighbourliness”[1].

July 2024 – Saudia Flight SV792 evacuated after landing gear fire in Peshawar

On 11 Jul 2024, Saudia flight SV792, an Airbus A330‑300 (HZ‑AQ28) operating from Riyadh to Bacha Khan International Airport, Peshawar (Pakistan), experienced smoke and sparks from its left landing‑gear tyres during landing. The Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) reported that the air‑traffic controller noticed the sparks and immediately summoned fire and rescue services[2]. All 276 passengers and 21 crew evacuated via inflatable slides and no injuries were reported[2]. In an official statement, Saudia acknowledged the incident, stating that the aircraft experienced “smoke emanating” from one of its tyres during landing and that all passengers and crew were safe[3]. The airline said the A330 was undergoing comprehensive inspections and repairs to ensure its safety before re‑entry into service[3]. The quick response by the PCAA and Saudia’s crew prevented a major accident.[2]

June 2024 – Sky Vision Airlines captain dies; diversion to Jeddah

On 12 Jun 2024, a Sky Vision Airlines Airbus A320 charter flight from Cairo to Ta’if in Saudi Arabia faced an unprecedented emergency when the captain suffered a sudden fatal medical event. According to the airline and Egypt’s Civil Aviation Authority, the first officer declared an emergency and diverted the aircraft to Jeddah’s King Abdulaziz International Airport. The flight landed safely; passengers and crew disembarked normally. Sky Vision Airlines and the Egyptian Aviation Authority stated that they were cooperating with Saudi authorities to investigate the incident[4]. The quick decision by the first officer and cooperation between Egyptian and Saudi officials averted further risk.

June 2025 – Hydraulic‑leak incident on Saudia Hajj flight in Lucknow

During the 2025 Hajj season, a Saudia Airbus A330 arriving from Jeddah to Lucknow, India with pilgrims experienced smoke from its landing gear because of a hydraulic leak. Fire‑rescue teams at Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport and the Saudia crew quickly doused the smoke. News reports quoting airport officials confirm that all passengers—mostly Hajj pilgrims—were safe, though the aircraft was grounded for repairs[5]. Saudia technicians inspected the aircraft and planned a later departure after ensuring safety[6]. The incident highlighted the challenges of operating large aircraft during intense pilgrimage seasons and the importance of coordination between Saudia and airport rescue teams.

June 2025 – Bomb‑threat diversion of Saudia SV5276 to Indonesia

On 18 Jun 2025 Saudia Flight SV5276, an Airbus A330 en route from Jeddah to Jakarta, received an email threatening that a bomb was on board. Saudia’s general manager of corporate communications, Abdullah Al‑Shahrani, told Arab News that the crew followed established security protocols and diverted to Kualanamu International Airport in Medan, Indonesia[7]. The aircraft landed safely and all passengers and crew were evacuated. Indonesian security personnel searched the plane and determined the threat was a hoax. In a formal statement, Saudia emphasized that passenger safety is its top priority and that the aircraft would resume service only after inspections[7]. Saudia’s swift response and cooperation with Indonesian authorities ensured the incident ended without injury.

June 2025 – Cabin manager dies aboard Saudia SV119; flight diverted to Cairo

A week later, on 27 Jun 2025, Saudia Flight SV119 from Jeddah to London suffered another emergency when cabin manager Mohsen bin Saeed Al‑Zahrani collapsed during the flight. According to an official statement posted by Saudia on its social media channels, crew members and a doctor on board attempted to resuscitate Al‑Zahrani but were unsuccessful[8]. The captain declared a medical emergency and diverted to Cairo International Airport. Upon arrival, medical personnel pronounced the cabin manager deceased[8]. Saudia’s statement conveyed condolences to the family and said the airline was working with the Saudi embassy in Egypt to repatriate the body and provide support[9]. The incident underscored the importance of onboard medical protocols and the role of international cooperation during emergencies.

September 2025 – Flydubai FZ1125 diverts to Riyadh for medical emergency

On 25 Sept 2025, Flydubai Flight FZ1125 from Dubai to Tel Aviv experienced a medical emergency when an Israeli passenger suffered a severe stroke. The crew contacted air‑traffic controllers and requested an unscheduled landing in Riyadh. Saudi aviation authorities granted clearance and arranged emergency medical services. Israel’s Foreign Ministry later reported that the passenger received immediate care from Saudi medical teams and was transferred to a local hospital[10]. The ministry said Saudi Arabia acted in accordance with international aviation conventions, and Israeli officials expressed appreciation[10]. The incident illustrated how regional geopolitical barriers were set aside to prioritise a passenger’s life.

October 2025 – Saudia SV821 diverts to Thiruvananthapuram after passenger collapses

During the Hajj return season, Saudia Flight SV821 from Jakarta to Madinah experienced a medical emergency on 19 Oct 2025 when a passenger lost consciousness. Airport officials at Thiruvananthapuram, India, stated that the captain diverted to the southern Indian city, where the plane landed safely[11]. The ill passenger was taken to a local hospital and stabilised. After medical clearance and refuelling, the flight resumed its journey to Saudi Arabia the same day[11]. The swift diversion and coordination with Indian authorities ensured the passenger received timely medical care.

Broader context and lessons

The above incidents illustrate a range of scenarios—from technical malfunctions (hydraulic leaks and landing‑gear fires) to security threats (bomb hoax) and medical emergencies. In each case, Saudi Arabia’s airlines and airports worked with international partners to prioritise safety. Key themes include:

• Rapid detection and communication: In Peshawar, an air‑traffic controller noticed sparks and immediately alerted fire‑rescue services; in Medan, the crew followed security protocols upon receiving a bomb threat[2][7].
• Effective evacuation: Both the Peshawar landing gear fire and the hydraulic leak in Lucknow saw all passengers evacuated without injury[2][5]. Emergency slides and ground teams played vital roles.
• International cooperation: When Sky Vision’s captain died, Saudi authorities cooperated with Egyptian investigators[4]. During the Flydubai and Air Seychelles incidents, Saudi Arabia provided landing rights and medical assistance to foreign carriers[10][1].
• Transparency and follow‑up: Saudia and the PCAA issued official statements acknowledging each incident and detailing inspections or repairs[3][12]. Such transparency helps maintain passenger confidence and aligns with international safety standards.

Conclusion

Between January 2020 and November 2025, Saudi Arabia witnessed several emergency landings. The period did not record any major fatal accidents, but there were significant incidents requiring rapid decision‑making. From the Air Seychelles diversion in 2023 to the series of Saudia emergencies in 2024–2025, each case shows how professionalism, robust safety procedures and international cooperation can prevent tragedies. As air traffic in the Middle East continues to grow, Saudi Arabia’s experience underscores the necessity of constant vigilance, investment in emergency response infrastructure and adherence to global aviation standards.

Reference List

1. Arab News article “Saudi Airlines flight’s landing gear catches fire at Peshawar airport” quoting the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority and Saudia’s statement on the 11 July 2024 incident[12].
2. AeroTime report on Saudia A330 evacuation, citing Saudia’s statement about smoke emanating from a tyre during landing in Peshawar and confirming all passengers’ safety[3].
3. Aviation.Direct report on Sky Vision Airlines captain death and diversion to Jeddah[4].
4. Times of India report on Saudia Hajj flight smoke/hydraulic leak and emergency response in Lucknow[5][6].
5. Arab News report on Saudia Flight SV5276 bomb threat and emergency landing in Medan including statements from Saudia’s general manager Abdullah Al‑Shahrani[7].
6. Times of India articles quoting Saudia’s official statement about cabin manager Mohsen Al‑Zahrani’s death and diversion to Cairo[8][9].
7. Times of Israel coverage of Flydubai FZ1125 medical emergency and Israeli Foreign Ministry comments about Saudi cooperation[10].
8. India Today report on Saudia SV821 diversion to Thiruvananthapuram after passenger collapse[11].
9. JNS news article covering Air Seychelles emergency landing in Jeddah and quoting the airline’s statement that all passengers were safe and a replacement flight was arranged[1].