CONFESSION OF PILOT WHO EVACUATED SERBS: “Emotions kicked in only when we touched down on the Belgrade runway!”

Captain Damir Maršić described the organization, conditions, and atmosphere of the special flight that evacuated 67 passengers from Egypt, after they arrived in Sharm El-Sheikh by bus from Israel. While emphasizing that everything was conducted professionally and according to procedures, Captain Maršić says that emotions and relief only came upon landing in Belgrade.

Captain Maršić explained that the flight from Sharm El-Sheikh was organized in less than 24 hours, after obtaining the necessary permits and security assessments.

“Behind every flight like this is a huge team effort across several sectors. This flight was unique because it required both rapid and thorough action. It was executed within 24 hours,” Maršić told Belgrade Chronicle, adding:

“Arriving at the flight operations building felt like any other day, but during the pre-flight briefing, we could all see this was a different kind of flight.”

He stressed that in such situations, emotions are set aside.

“Our crews are trained and prepared for such challenges. Emotions only surfaced after the mission was completed,” the captain added.

The mission was also notable because the entire cabin crew was male.

“This is what sets the national airline apart—it’s available 24/7 for its citizens, even though this was a standard flight day,” Maršić explained.

RTS journalist Zoran Slepčević, who was on the flight organized by the Serbian government, said that everything seemed like a “normal workday,” even though it was clear the flight carried additional risks.

He highlighted that airport protocols and security in Sharm El-Sheikh were extremely strict—no crew or media members were allowed to leave the aircraft.

Passengers boarded in groups, and their faces clearly showed immense relief at entering the plane that would take them back to Serbia. Among them were several children, including two infants.

Slepčević noted that the most sensitive part of the roughly two-hour and fifty-minute flight was takeoff, as Sharm El-Sheikh is near the Israeli border.

Captain Maršić emphasized that the crew approached their task professionally, without emotions, just like any other flight. After successfully landing in Belgrade, a post-flight debriefing was held, where emotions and pride finally came to the surface.

Zoran Slepčević added that the most important thing was that everything went smoothly and that the team was fully prepared for the mission.