We hope the situation will get better – Kazakhstani passengers of repatriation flight from Israel
Repatriation flight carrying Kazakhstani nationals from Tel Aviv landed at the Almaty International Airport. A total of 166 passengers, including 124 Kazakhstani citizens and 42 foreigners, were onboard the jet, Kazinform Agency correspondent reports.
They were greeted by their families and loved ones at the airport.
Almaty resident Dariya told Kazinform correspondent that her relatives went to Israel and their trip around the country was supposed to wrap up on Thursday. However, destiny had its own plans.
“We couldn’t reach them for several days. I knew that the Embassy kept in touch with them and everyone who was supposed to be onboard [the repatriation jet] in the past couple of days. We felt relieved only when they boarded the jet and it left Tel Aviv,” she said.
Among those waiting impatiently for their loved ones at the airport were children as young as 5-years-old. It turned out they waited for their grandmother who went to Israel 5 years ago for work reasons. The children’s mother Bayan Askarova said they were little when their grandmother left for Israel and now they will finally reunite.
“We’ve been in touch for a couple of days. We were really worried and told her to come back home,” said the woman.
Marketing and Sales Vice President of Air Astana Adel Dauletbek revealed there were two infants among the passengers of the repatriation flight. Most passengers are citizens of the Republic of Kazakhstan and their relatives.
“As you know the situation in the country [Israel] has worsened dramatically since Saturday morning. That is why Air Astana has suspended flights. Today we got a chance to perform the repatriation flight. The company’s top management made a decisive step to evacuate our citizens who were trapped in the country,” said Mr Dauletbek, adding that no Kazakhstani citizens were left behind at the airport.
He pointed out the company continues to closely monitor the situation in Israel.
One of the passengers Artur Kovalevsky expressed his gratitude to the Foreign Affairs Ministry of the Republic of Kazakhstan for the organization of the repatriation flight.
“Correct me if I’m wrong, but Kazakhstan is the only country to repatriate its nationals that quickly,” said the passenger, noting he is extremely grateful and proud of his country.
Astana resident Aigul Abdikerova who was among those repatriated from Israel said she and her grandson were in Herzliya where her daughter and son-in-law work.
“I was supposed to return on October 8 when the flights were canceled due to military actions. We had to take shelter as air raid sirens went off. It was a frightening experience. I would like to thank the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Israel and the air company that organized the special flight. Thanks to those people we have returned home safely,” Aigul added.
Another passenger named Grigoriy also praised the Embassy and Air Astana for working around the clock to organize the flight and repatriate people stranded in Israel.
Among those repatriated were 16 recipients of the Bolashak Scholarship whose studies in Israel were interrupted by the situation in Israel.
One of the scholarship holders, Kazakhstani cardiologist Ainur Umarova said she’s been in Israel for studies for only 10 days after reaching Haifa on October 1.
“We’ve seen horrific videos spread on social media, it was terrifying… Because of the emergency, we had to leave the country. We hope everything will be fine and we will return [to Israel],” said Umarova.
Another Bolashak scholarship holder Umit Zheldybayeva admitted the situation in Israel is tough. With only three weeks left of her internship in Israel, Umit had to leave frantically due to the unfolding conflict.
“The sound of airplanes and air raid sirens caused panic. People didn’t know what to do. Right now the situation there is tough,” said Umit, adding that the Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Israel sent a car that picked her and other Kazakhstanis up.
Another passenger of the repatriation flight Aisulu revealed that her trip to Israel had turned into a nightmare and she found herself drowning in panic before the flight departure.
“It was frightening. We had no idea where the bombs would hit. We had our kids with us. All I could think of was my child,” she stressed.
Earlier Kazinform reported that the Kazakh passenger jet carrying over a hundred of Kazakhstani citizens and foreign nationals was expected to return home from Israel.
