Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv diverted after onboard incident

Picture for illustrative purposes only. ARCHIVE

A flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv made an emergency landing in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday (September 30) after an incident occurred on board, with the captain and co-pilot taken to hospital for treatment.

Flight FZ1073, which departed from Dubai International Airport (DXB) for Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), landed safely at Tabuk Airport after requesting an emergency landing.

Flydubai confirmed that all passengers and crew were safe and accounted for, while stressing that the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation.

“An altercation occurred in the flight deck of flight FZ 1073, operating from Dubai International (DXB) to Ben Gurion International Airport (TLV), on September 30,” the airline said. “The aircraft was successfully secured by on-duty flydubai crew travelling on the flight, who diverted and landed the aircraft safely at Tabuk Airport (TUU). All passengers and crew are safe and accounted for,” it added.

Tabuk Airport said air traffic control received a distress call from the aircraft at 8:44am requesting an emergency landing. Airport authorities declared an emergency and prepared to assist the aircraft, which landed at 9:45am.

The captain and co-pilot were injured and taken to hospital, according to airport officials. No details were immediately given about the nature or severity of their injuries. Passengers were assisted in the terminal while arrangements were being made with flydubai for a replacement aircraft.

Flydubai said its teams are working with the relevant authorities and that further updates will be issued once more confirmed information becomes available. “At this early stage, the underlying reasons and motives behind this event are unknown and remain subject to a formal investigation. We urge all parties to refrain from premature speculation while authorities gather the facts,” the airline said.

The airline also said the incident had no impact on other scheduled operations across its network. Flydubai operates daily flights between Dubai and Tel Aviv. ICA/Expat Media

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