'Flydubai': Fight in Cockpit of Flight Bound for Tel Aviv
A Flydubai plane made an emergency landing in Tabuk following a fight in the cockpit.
Translated by Qiyas from السياسة — Original source
- A crew member from the company secured the aircraft before it was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk.
- The causes and motives behind the incident remain unknown and are under official investigation.
Dubai-based airline Flydubai announced on Wednesday that a fight broke out in the cockpit of flight FZ1073, which was en route from Dubai International Airport to Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv, leading to the flight’s diversion and safe landing at Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
In its latest statement, the airline said that a Flydubai crew member on board managed to secure the aircraft before it was diverted and landed safely in Tabuk.
The company confirmed that all passengers were unharmed, noting that two replacement aircraft had been dispatched to Tabuk to manage the incident’s aftermath and support passengers and crew members. It added that other scheduled operations within its network were unaffected.
Flydubai stated that the causes and motives behind the incident remain unknown at this stage and are subject to an official investigation, urging the public to avoid speculation until all information and facts have been gathered.
The airline emphasized that its top priority is ensuring the safety and well-being of passengers and crew members, as well as supporting the official investigation.
In an earlier statement, the company had reported that the flight experienced an incident on board that necessitated its diversion to Tabuk, confirming the safe landing of the aircraft and the safety of all passengers.
It said its teams handled the situation in accordance with established operational procedures and that it is working closely with authorities and relevant agencies to monitor the incident and determine its circumstances, while continuing to provide support to affected passengers.
In Saudi Arabia, Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz International Airport in Tabuk announced that it received a distress call from the aircraft at 8:44 a.m., prompting it to declare an emergency state before the plane landed safely at 9:45 a.m.
The airport clarified that the pilot and co-pilot sustained injuries and were transported to a hospital for medical treatment, while passengers were attended to and provided with necessary services.
The circumstances of the incident, as well as the causes and motives behind the fight, remain under investigation. Flydubai confirmed that it will release further information as soon as it is verified and in coordination with the relevant authorities.
