[Update below] 11:15 p.m. IL: El Al Flight LY2653, a Boeing 737 being flown by UP that took off from Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, for Kiev with 182 passengers on board, is heading back to Ben Gurion for an emergency landing at Ben Gurion Airport after one of its tires exploded.
The plane has dumped fuel so that it can proceed for the emergency landing, which is expected to take place within 60 minutes.
There are currently large teams of emergency personnel at the airport, on hand for the emergency landing should there be need for medical attention.
UP operates as an EL AL aviation brand, offering cheap flights to Israel.
UPDATE, 12:10 AM: Boruch Hashem, the plane has landed safely. The blown-out plane tire can be seen in the photo below.
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David Steger – Matzav.com Israel
Its a neis