The Civil Aviation Authority has announced that an Embraer E-170 aircraft belonging to Saudi Arabian Airlines which took off from Wadi Al-Dawasser airport for King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah on Wednesday evening returned to Wadi Al-Dawasser when smoke began to pour out of the air conditioning system in the passengers cabin. The pilot informed the fire and rescue station at Wadi Al-Dawasser airport of his intention to return for landing at the airport as soon as the smoke appeared. The CAA noted that an emergency was declared at the fire and rescue station upon the pilot's request as a precaution, and the aircraft landed safely on the runway. Sixty passengers, including the crew of the plane were transferred to the terminal in the usual way, and there were no injuries among the passengers. The Civil Aviation Authority noted that the Saudi Arabian Airlines maintenance crew repaired the air conditioning system, the passengers boarded the plane, and the plane took off for King Abdulaziz International Airport. The CAA stressed that the situation will be followed up by the Authority's department of safety and economic licensing.
