Tabuk Airport: Flydubai captain and co-pilot injured in emergency landing

Tabuk Airport (Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport) in Saudi Arabia announced on Wednesday that its air traffic control center received a distress call from Flydubai flight FZ1073, requesting an emergency landing at the airport at 8:44 a.m. In a statement, the airport added, “An emergency status was declared at the airport, and preparations were made to assist the aircraft, which landed safely at 9:45 a.m.” The airport clarified that “both the captain and the co-pilot were found to be injured and were transported to a hospital to receive necessary medical care.” It also noted that appropriate care was provided to passengers in the departure lounge, and coordination was carried out with the carrier to arrange a replacement aircraft. The airport reaffirmed its commitment to the regulations and directives issued by the General Authority of Civil Aviation, in accordance with relevant international treaties and agreements concerning the safety of air navigation, passengers, and cabin crew.

Flydubai had previously announced that flight FZ1073, en route from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion Airport southeast of Tel Aviv, experienced an incident that necessitated a diversion and a precautionary emergency landing at Tabuk Airport in Saudi Arabia. A spokesperson for Flydubai stated that the aircraft landed safely, adding, “The safety of our passengers and crew remains our top priority. Our teams handled the situation in accordance with approved operational procedures to ensure the highest levels of safety.” He noted that the airline’s teams were working closely with authorities and relevant agencies to monitor the incident and ascertain the circumstances, emphasizing that the company would continue to provide necessary support to affected passengers. Flydubai confirmed that further details and updates would be announced as soon as they become available, in coordination with the competent authorities.