Anne Godlasky

USA TODAY

Dutch pro cyclist Maarten de Jonge has twice cheated death. The 29-year-old could have been on both Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370, which disappeared on its way to Beijing in March, and MH17, which was shot down in the Ukraine on Thursday, but survived thanks to a change of plans.

At the last minute, de Jonge chose a flight other than MH17 because it was cheaper, according to RTV Oost, a broadcaster in the Netherlands with whom he gave an interview.

In March, he took a flight at the same time and headed in the same direction as the doomed MH370, the Sydney Morning Heraldreports.

"I could've taken that one just as easily," he told RTV Oost.

Despite the tragedies, de Jonge still plans to fly Malaysia Airlines on July 20 when he returns to Kuala Lumpur, where he rides for the Terrengganu team, according to the Herald.

On de Jonge's website, he indicates he will no longer give interviews out of "reverence for the victims and their families."