9.52 AM Friday, 29 March 2024
  • City Fajr Shuruq Duhr Asr Magrib Isha
  • Dubai 04:56 06:10 12:26 15:53 18:37 19:52
29 March 2024

Saudi jet returns to airport 45 minutes after take-off

Published
By Staff

A Saudi passenger aircraft on a domestic flight on Monday returned to airport nearly 45 minutes after take-off, during which some panicking passengers fainted.

Oficials at Saudia Airlines said the plane cancelled its trip to the southern city of Shurura and returned to Riyadh airport after it developed a technical fault because of what they described as violent fluctuations in the air pressure.

Sabq newspaper quoted a passenger as saying most of those on board panicked and began screaming while some started to say prayers.

Three other passengers fainted while the crew members appeared worried and confused, he said.

“The pilot decided to return to Riyadh after the plane suffered from a technical problem due to persistent and strong variations in the air pressure,” an unnamed Saudia official said without elaborating on the fault.