HOUSTON – It's been just over 24 hours since the Istanbul airport attack impacted travelers across the world, including in Houston.
The FAA grounded all flights to and from Turkey, but Wednesday evening, things are starting to get back to normal.
One of the first flights since flights out of Istanbul resumed landed in Houston Wednesday night.
“We were ready for anything. We just wanted to get through and be home and safe,” said George Zaieaq.
A Houston couple was glad to be home after landing at Bush Intercontinental Airport from Turkey.
“As we were approaching Istanbul, we were diverted. We were told the airport closed down,” said Zaieaq.
Airport officials closed it Tuesday after an attack that killed at least 42 people.
Once the couple went back to the Istanbul airport, they noticed less people and more security than in the past.
“This time around, at least four or five, every station, there's another setup, another security check up, and that's fine. It's good to feel secure,” said Zaieaq.
Security was especially a priority for Tan Uckan.
“I'm glad they made it safe,” said Uckan.
Uckan embraced his two young sons, who will stay in the United States for good.
People know any country and any city could be a target, but they keep Istanbul in their hearts.
“It shouldn't be happening anywhere in the world, and I'm so scared for where this world is going right now,” said Uckan.
“It was devastating. There's so many sick people out there. It's bad,” said Zaieaq.
Rupal Rawal, who has been working in Houston, is flying back home to India. She has flown through the airport in Istanbul, and says the security there is tighter than at others, so it's shocking to hear what happened, and it makes her uneasy in the skies.
"It was a little scary because I normally do fly several different airlines and last time around, it was with Turkish Airlines. So back home family was scared, I was scared but I'm not flying Turkish this time. But it kinda scares you when a place like an airport (is) going through something like this," Rawal said.
We're also monitoring a flight from Istanbul to Houston, which is set to land at 6:55 p.m.